PERCY 


.  IffiaARY.  LOS  ANGELES 


PRINCESS  MARITZA 


PRINCESS  MARITZA 

i 

73y 
PERCY     BREBNER 

WITH    ILLUSTRATIONS    BY 
HARRISON     FISHER 

GROSSET    &     DUNLAP 

PUBLISHERS     :     :     NEW  YORK 

UNIV.  OF  CALIF.  LIBRARY,  LOS  ANGELES 


Copyright,  iyyd, 
T.  J.  McBRIDE  &  SON 


PUBLISHED,    OCTOBER 


Co 
V.  F.  G. 


2125870 


CONTENTS 
CHAPTER  I. 

PAGE 

PLAYING  TRUANT, 1 

CHAPTER  II. 
MONSIEUR  DE  FROILETTE,  .         .         .         .13 

CHAPTER  III. 
THE  WOMAN  IN  THE  SILK  MASK,          ...       27 

CHAPTER  IV. 
THE  COURT  OF  STURATZBERG,      ....       38 

CHAPTER  V. 

Two  VISITORS,    .         .         .         .         .         .         .53 

CHAPTER  VI. 
FRINA  MAVRODIN'S  GUEST,          ....       66 

CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  TIME  ARRIVES,  .....       79 


vi  CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  VIII. 


FAGB 


THE  IRON  BRACELET,  .....       95 

CHAPTER  IX. 
THE  DUEL, 106 

CHAPTER  X. 

THE  FOLLY  OF  A  SOLDIER,  .         .         .         .         .     117 

CHAPTER  XI. 
IN  THE  Bois, 131 

CHAPTER  XII. 
GRIGOSIE,    .....  145 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE  CASTLE  IN  THE  HILLS,          .         .         .         .158 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE  TOKEN  is  DELIVERED,          .         .         .  174 

CHAPTER  XV. 
THE  RACE  FOR  LIFE,  .         .         .  184 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
THE  TRAITOR,    ...  19<j 


CONTENTS  rii 

CHAPTER  XVH. 

PAGE 

THE  TRUE  WORTH  OF  BARON  PETRESCTJ,      .         .     209 

CHAPTER  XVHI. 

Six  LOYAL  MEN, 223 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

IN  DESPERATE  STRAITS,       .....     234 

CHAPTER  XX. 
TREACHERY  OR  SACRIFICE,  ....     245 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

THE  RESCUE, 256 

CHAPTER  XXII. 
IN  VASILICI'S  STRONGHOLD,  ....     2*68 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

THE  TEMPTATION  OF  FRINA  MAVRODIN,        .         .281 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

How  MARITZA  ENTERED  STURATZBERG,         .         .     293 

CHAPTER  XXV. 
'TwixT  LOVE  AND  PITY,  305 


viii  CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

PAGE 

REBELLION,        .......     317 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

IN  PURPLE  AND  RED  AND  GOLD,    .    .    .330 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

THE  DIPLOMACY  OF  LORD  CLOVERTON,      »   .         .     345 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

AFTER  WAR — PEACE,  .         .         ...     355 


CHAPTER  I. 

PLAYING   TRUANT 

A  BREEZY  morning  after  a  night  of  rain.  Fleecy  clouds, 
some  in  massive  folds  and  fantastic  shape,  some  in  small 
half -transparent  wisps  like  sunlit  ghosts,  were  driven  rap- 
idly across  the  blue.  Hurrying  shadows  flecked  the  swell- 
ing bosom  of  the  downs,  and  where  the  grass  was  long  it 
rippled  like  a  green  sea,  making  rustling  music.  Over- 
head the  larks  fluttering  upward,  ever-diminishing  specks 
to  the  empyrean,  carolled  their  joyous  song,  and  a  thou- 
sand perfumes  filled  the  air.  It  was  a  morning  to  live  in, 
to  enjoy,  to  take  into  one's  lungs  in  deep,  intoxicating 
draughts,  until  the  sorrows  of  life  and  its  cares  were  forgot- 
ten; a  morning  that  lent  strong  wings  to  ambition,  filling 
the  future  with  hope  and  the  promise  of  realized  desires. 

Something  of  the  aspect  of  the  morning  was  reflected 
in  the  face  of  the  man  who  stoutly  climbed  the  downs 
against  the  wind.  He  was  above  the  average  height,  but 
did  not  give  the  impression  of  being  tall.  His  frame  was. 
well  knit  and  muscular;  strength  and  power  of  endurance 
above  the  common  were  evident  in  every  movement;  and 
there  was  a  quiet  determination  in  his  face  which  pro- 
claimed him  one  of  those  who  would  be  likely  to  succeed 
in  anything  he  undertook,  no  matter  what  dangers  and  diffi- 
culties might  stand  in  his  path,  one  who  would  march 
straight  forward  to  his  object  even  as  he  breasted  the  downs 
this  morning.  Most  men  would  have  pronounced  him 
1 


2  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

handsome,  judging,  as  men  ever  do,  by  build  and  muscle; 
women  might  have  hesitated  to  give  an  opinion  in  spite  of 
the  well-cut,  clean-shaven  face,  and  the  dark  blue  eyes 
which  never  looked  away  from  a  person  with  whom  their 
possessor  talked.  Perhaps  there  was  a  want  of  sympathy 
in  the  face,  a  certain  lack  of  that  gentle  deference  which  so 
appeals  to  women  in  a  man,  that  silent  recognition  of  the 
woman's  power  which  is  so  pleasant  to  her. 

Desmond  Ellereyhad  had  little  to  do  with  women.  He 
did  not  pretend  to  understand  them,  and  it  had  never  oc- 
curred to  him  that  there  was  any  reason  why  he  should 
strive  to  do  so.  He  had  experienced  pleasant  moments  in 
their  company,  but  one  woman  was  pretty  much  the  same 
as  another  to  him,  and  it  is  quite  certain  that  no  such  thing 
as  a  faded  flower,  or  a  glove,  or  love  token  of  any  kind  held 
a  place  among  his  treasures.  No  woman  in  the  past  had 
given  him  a  single  heart  throb  which  love  lent  a  sense  of  pain 
to,  and  it  seemed  unlikely  that  any  woman  would  wish  to 
do  so  now.  For  Desmond  Ellerey  was  a  man  under  a  cloud, 
a  very  black  cloud,  the  gloom  of  which  even  this  breezy 
morning  could  not  entirely  dispel  from  his  face.  He  had 
set  himself  to  bear  his  burden  bravely,  but  the  task  was  a 
heavy  one.  Surely  those  straightforward  blue  eyes  gave 
the  lie  to  much  that  was  said  against  him  ? 

There  were  few  hours  in  the  day  in  which  he  did  not 
brood  over  his  trouble,  over  the  loss  of  his  career  which  it 
involved,  and  as  he  approached  the  top  of  the  downs  his 
eyes  were  bent  upon  the  ground  in  deep  thought,  while  in 
his  heart  was  fierce  rebellion  against  the  world  and  his  fel- 
low men. 

He  was  suddenly  startled  by  a  sharp  and  shrill "  Hallo ! " 
and  at  the  same  moment  was  aware  of  a  straw  hat  racing 
past  him  a  little  to  his  left.  A  run  of  a  few  yards  enabled 
him  to  intercept  it,  and  he  grasped  it  in  bis  strong  fingers, 


PLAYING  TRUANT  3 

regardless  of  the  flowers  and  ribbons  upon  it.  Then  he 
turned  to  discover  the  owner. 

She  was  standing  on  the  summit  of  the  downs,  her  loose 
hair  streaming  in  the  breeze.  She  did  not  come  to  meet 
him,  but  waited  for  him  to  go  to  her. 

"  I  am  afraid  it  is  not  improved,"  he  said,  handing  her 
the  hat. 

"  I  hardly  expected  it  would  be  when  I  saw  the  way  you 
dived  for  it,"  she  answered  with  a  smile;  "but  thanks  all 
the  same.  Had  it  got  past  you,  it  would  have  been  good- 
bye to  it  altogether.  Isn't  this  a  morning  ?  " 

"  Very  pleasant  after  the  rain,"  he  said. 

"  Pleasant ! "  she  cried.  "  Is  that  the  best  you  can  say 
for  it  ?  Pleasant !  Why  it  makes  me  feel  that  there  is 
nothing  in  the  world  which  is  beyond  my  power;  no  diffi- 
culty I  could  not  fight  and  overcome;  no  danger  I  could 
not  despise  and  laugh  at.  My  blood  is  full  of  the  very  fire 
of  life,  and  I  pant  to  do  something — something  unexpected, 
outrageous,  desperate.  Don't  you  ever  feel  like  that  ?  " 

"Sometimes." 

"  It  is  good  to  be  a  man,"  she  went  on.  "  He  has  the 
world  before  him,  with  its  high  places  waiting  to  be  won. 
There  is  nothing  out  of  his  reach,  if  he  strive  sufficiently, 
no  honor  he  may  not  win  to.  Oh,  I  wish  I  were  a  man ! " 

There  was  a  half -whimsical  smile  upon  Ellerey's  f  ace,  at 
her  enthusiasm,  and  in  his  eyes  a  look  of  admiration,  which 
he  could  not  conceal,  at  her  beauty.  Her  loose  hair  stream- 
ing in  the  wind  was  the  color  of  burnished  copper,  rich  as 
a  golden  autumn  tint  in  the  glow  of  an  evening  sun.  Her 
eyes  were  dark,  yet  of  a  changeful  color,  as  full  of  secrets 
as  a  deep  pool  in  the  hollow  of  a  wood,  quiet,  silent  secrets 
which  presently,  when  the  time  came,  a  lover  might  seek  to 
understand,  yet  promising  angry  and  tempestuous  moods 
should  storms  happen.  Her  lips,  parted  often  as  though 


4  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

she  were  waiting  for  someone  with  eager  expectation,  re- 
vealed an  even  row  of  pearly  teeth,  and  the  pink  flush  of 
health  and  beauty  was  in  her  cheeks.  She  was  tall :  with 
her  hair  done  up,  would  have  passed  for  a  woman  already, 
Desmond  thought;  with  it  down,  and  her  frock  to  her  boot- 
tops,  she  was  still  a  girl,  a  beautiful  girl,  a  very  pleasant 
picture  to  contemplate. 

"  Being  a  man  is  not  always  such  a  grand  thing  as  you 
suppose,"  Ellerey  said  after  a  pause. 

"  He  has  a  freedom  which  a  woman  never  has,"  the  girl 
answered  quickly.  "  Oh,  yes,  women  try,  especially  in  this 
country,  I  know,  but  it  is  never  the  same.  She  cannot  be  a 
statesman,  she  cannot  he  a  soldier.  She  cannot  take  her 
life  by  the  throat,  as  it  were,  and  win  place  and  power  by 
the  sheer  force  of  a  good  right  arm  as  a  man  can." 

"  But  she  often  succeeds  in  ruling  the  man  after  he  has 
won  place  and  power,"  Ellerey  answered. 

"  That  sort  of  conquest  does  not  appeal  to  me." 

"Ah,  but  it  will  some  day,"  he  returned  quickly,  and 
then  he  half  regretted  his  words,  remembering  she  was  but 
a  girl. 

She  looked  at  him  curiously  for  a  moment,  a  smile  upon 
her  lips,  yet  a  little  anger  lurking  in  her  eyes. 

"  You  think  I  am  very  young,"  she  said. 

"Are you  not?" 

"  And  very  innocent,  or  ignorant,  or  whatever  word  you 
would  use  to  explain  me." 

"  You  can  hardly  have  probed  life  very  deeply  yet,"  said 
Ellerey. 

"  Much  deeper  than  you  would  imagine,"  she  answered. 
"  You  are  not  so  very  wise  and  old  yourself,  are  you  ?  " 

"Indeed,  no;  I  fancy  I  am  more  of  a  fool  than  any- 
thing else,"  he  laughed. 

"You  should  not  let  yourself  think  that,"  she  said 


PLAYING  TRUANT  5 

gravely.  "  To  think  highly  of  one's  powers  is  half-way  to 
success.  That  sounds  as  if  I  had  stolen  something  from  a 
copy-book,  doesn't  it  ?  But  no,  I  am  speaking  from  expe- 
rience. Why  do  you  laugh?  Some  of  us  have  to  touch 
life's  hardships  early." 

"  You  do  not  show  the  marks  of  such  experience,"  said 
Ellerey ,  hardly  knowing  whether  to  treat  her  seriously  or  not. 

"  No,  but  I  might,  were  I  conscious  of  what  is  before 
me.  I  am  not  as  other  girls.  There  is  a  destiny  I  have  to 
struggle  towards,  an  end  I  must  win.  It  was  born  into, 
handed  down  in  my  blood  through  generations  of  men  of 
action.  The  ambition  of  those  generations  of  men  beats 
to-day  in  the  heart  of  a  woman.  It  is  a  pity,  but  I  shall 
win,  or  die  righting." 

"At  least  the  spirit  in  you  deserves  success." 

"Come  a  little  this  way,"  she  said,  touching  his  arm, 
and  then  she  pointed  down  into  the  valley  below  them. 
"  Do  you  see  that  building  yonder,  white  among  the  trees, 
with  a  point  of  conical  roof  at  the  end  of  it  ?  " 

"Yes." 

"  Do  you  know  what  it  is  ?  " 

"No." 

"  By  this  time  they  are  hunting  for  me  all  over  that  place 
down  there.  I  heard  the  bell  ring  half  an  hour  ago.  That's 
a  school,  a  big,  expensive,  fashionable  school,  where  they 
teach  young  ladies  how  to  behave  properly,  how  to  grow  up 
to  rule  those  fighting  men  we  were  speaking  of,  how  to  fit 
themselves  to  be  their  wives,  and  in  due  time  the  mothers  of 
their  children — in  short,  how  to  fulfil  their  destiny,  wom- 
an's destiny.  They  are  trying  to  teach  me." 

"You?     Then " 

"Yes,  I'm  one  of  the  girls  there,  and  I've  played  truant, 
and — yes,  I  think  I  shall  go  back  presently,  when  I  have 
taken  my  fill  of  freedom  and  this  glorious  morning." 


e  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  And  will  get  punished,  I  am  afraid,"  said  Ellerey. 

"Perhaps;  but  it  will  not  be  very  heavy  punishment. 
It  is  strange,  but  they  rather  like  me  there,  in  spite  of  every- 
thing." 

"  I  do  not  think  that  is  strange  at  all." 

"No,  you  wouldn't;  you're  a  man,"  she  answered 
quickly,  "and  men  are  weak  where  attractive  women  are 
concerned,  all  the  world  over." 

Such  a  declaration  coming  from  a  truant  schoolgirl 
somewhat  startled  Ellerey,  and  yet,  as  he  looked  at  her,  he 
was  more  conscious  of  the  woman  than  the  girl. 

"  Oh,  yes,  I  know  I  am  attractive,"  she  went  on,  and 
there  was  no  deepening  of  the  color  in  her  face  as  she  said 
it  "  I  am  glad  that  it  is  so.  My  looks  will  help  me  when 
the  work  of  my  life  begins  in  earnest,  when  I  have  played 
the  truant  from  school  for  the  last  time,  and  do  not  go 
back." 

"  Then  you  intend  to  run  away  eventually  ?  " 

"Yes,  unless  another  way  should  seem  better.  That 
shocks  you.  I  often  shock  them  down  at  the  white  house 
yonder,  and  they  excuse  me  because  I  am  a  foreigner.  You 
English  are  so  polite.  You  do  not  seem  to  expect  foreign- 
ers to  know  how  to  behave,  and  you  make  excuses  for  them. 
It  is  very  funny.  It  makes  me  laugh,"  and  she  laughed  so 
merrily  that  her  former  gravity  seemed  more  unnatural. 

"You  speak  English  perfectly.  I  should  not  have 
taken  you  for  a  foreigner,"  said  Ellerey. 

"And  French,  and  German,  and  my  own  tongue,  I 
speak  them  all  perfectly.  I  have  lived  in  all  these  coun- 
tries. It  was  necessary." 

"  And  you  do  not  like  England  nor  Englishmen  ?  " 

"  I  have  not  said  so,"  she  answered;  "  but  here  in  Eng- 
land I  am  being  taken  care  of,  kept  out  of  mischief,  and 
sometimes  I  feel  like  a  prisoner.  It  is  only  that  which 


PLAYING  TRUANT  7 

makes  me  dislike  England.  Of  Englishmen  I  know  little, 
but  I  have  read  about  them,  and  they  have  done  some  good, 
brave  deeds.  They  are,  perhaps,  just  a  little  conceited 
with  themselves,  don't  you  think  ?  There  is  no  one  quite 
like  an  Englishman  it  would  seem." 

"There  are  all  sorts, good  and  bad,"  said  Ellerey care- 
lessly. "  At  the  best  he  wants  a  lot  of  beating ;  at  the  worst, 
well,  he  wants  a  lot  of  beating  that  way,  too.  How  is  it 
you  feel  like  a  prisoner  ?  " 

The  girl  drew  herself  up  to  her  full  height.  There  was 
something  haughty  in  her  demeanor,  occasioned,  per- 
haps, by  the  careless  way  in  which  he  asked  the  question. 
She  felt  that  he  was  treating  her  rather  like  a  spoilt  child, 
while  she  felt  herself  a  determined  woman. 

"  In  my  own  country  I  am  a  princess,"  she  said. 

"Indeed?" 

"  You  do  not  believe  me  ?  " 

"Why  not?  You  look  every  inch  a  princess,"  he 
answered. 

"  It  is  so  like  a  man  to  say  what  he  thinks  will  please," 
she  returned  with  a  flash  in  her  eyes.  "You  do  not  be- 
lieve me,  but  you  are  afraid  to  say  so.  Go  down  there  and 
ask  them." 

"  I  do  not  disbelieve  you,"  said  Ellerey  quietly. 

The  girl  relented  in  a  moment. 

"  We  should  be  very  good  friends,  you  and  I,  if  we  knew 
each  other.  You  have  ambition.  I  can  see  it  in  your 
face." 

"I had,  Princess." 

"Hush,  no  one  calls  me  that  here.  Why  do  you  say 
you  had  ambition  ?  " 

"  You  would  not  understand." 

"  Try  me  and  see,"  she  said,  standing  close  beside  him 
as  though  to  measure  her  strength  against  his  for  a  moment. 


8  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  You  may  trust  me.  I  would  trust  you  anywhere,  in  peace 
or  war." 

Ellerey  looked  at  her  curiously  for  an  instant,  with  a  sud- 
den desire  to  take  her  into  his  confidence.  Then  he  shook 
his  head  slowly.  It  was  pleasant  to  hear  such  faith  ex- 
pressed in  him,  and  he  was  unwilling  to  destroy  the  faith  of 
this  fair  woman.  Altogether  a  woman  she  seemed  to  him 
just  then. 

"  You  will  not.  Never  mind,  perhaps  one  day  you  will. 
Only  never  speak  of  ambition  as  something  past.  That  is 
weak  and  unmanly." 

"  Upon  my  honor,  you  do  me  good,"  Ellerey  exclaimed. 

"And  you  me,"  she  answered  eagerly.  "To  look  at 
you  makes  me  feel  strong.  It  is  good  when  a  man  makes 
a  woman  feel  like  that.  I  am  a  woman,  although  I  am 
still  at  school.  There  is  southern  blood  in  me,  and  we  be- 
come women  earlier  than  English  girls  do.  Listen !  There 
are  England,  and  France,  and  Germany,  and  Austria,  and 
Russia  all  interested  in  me,  and  nothing  would  please  them 
all  so  much  as  my  death.  As  it  is,  I  am  a  difficulty  in  all 
their  politics.  They  would  like  me  to  forget  who,  and 
what,  I  am.  They  would  marry  me  to  some  nobleman  of 
no  importance,  if  they  could,  just  to  keep  me  quiet." 

"  And  you  will  not  be  quiet.  " 

"  No.  Why  should  I  be  ?  Would  you  ?  In  my  coun- 
try a  usurper  is  upon  the  throne,  kept  there,  held  there, 
like  a  child  who  would  fall  but  for  its  nurse's  arms,  by  all 
the  Powers  of  Europe.  It  is  I  who  should  be  there.  It  is 
I  who  will  be  there  one  day.  Shall  I  tell  you  ?  There 
are  hundreds,  thousands,  of  men  who  are  ready  to  strike  in 
my  cause  when  the  time  is  ripe.  Even  now  there  is  a  states- 
man working  to  set  these  countries  at  cross  purposes  with 
one  another,  and  when  they  quarrel,  then  is  my  opportunity. 
You  shall  see.  That  is  why  I  said  I  would  be  a  man  if  I 


PLAYING  TRUANT  9 

could.  It  would  be  so  much  easier  for  a  man,  but  as  it  is, 
a  woman  shall  do  it." 

"  I  hope  you  may.     You  deserve  to." 

"  But  you  doubt  it  ?"  she  said. 

"  There  seein  to  be  heavy  odds  against  you." 

"  That  helps  me.  It  stirs  up  the  best  that  is  in  me.  It 
is  good  to  have  something  to  struggle  for,  something  to  win, 
and  if  I  may  not  win,  I  hope  to  fall  in  the  press  of  the  fight, 
and,  to  the  loud  funeral  music  of  clashing  steel,  find  the 
death  of  a  soldier.  What  is  your  name  ?  " 

"  Desmond  Ellerey." 

"It  is  an  easy  name  to  remember.  Well,  Desmond 
Ellerey,  if  your  ambition  finds  no  outlet  in  England,  come 
to  my  country,  to  the  city  of  Sturatzberg,  and  claim  friend- 
ship with  Princess  Maritza.  She  shall  find  you  work  for 
your  good  right  arm." 

She  walked  away  from  him  as  though  she  had  bestowed 
a  great  favor,  never  looking  back.  She  went  in  the  oppo- 
site direction  to  the  school,  her  truant  spirit  not  yet  satisfied, 
and  Ellerey  watched  her  until  he  lost  sight  of  the  tall, 
graceful  figure  in  a  fold  of  the  downs.  Then  he  turned  and 
went  slowly  back  the  way  he  had  come. 

Desmond  Ellerey  had  declared  that  she  had  done  him 
good.  It  was  true.  Although  he  walked  slowly,  his  spirit 
was  stirred  within  him,  and  his  blood  ran  with  something 
of  its  old  vigor.  Faced  by  a  thousand  difficulties,  this  girl 
had  the  courage  to  look  upon  them  bravely,  and  to  believe 
in  her  power  to  overcome  them.  That  was  her  secret,  the 
belief  in  her  own  power.  He  had  faced  his  difficulties 
bravely  enough,  but  he  had  not  had  the  courage  to  hope; 
therein  lay  his  weakness,  and  this  girl,  this  princess,  had 
shown  it  to  him.  He  had  allowed  himself  to  drift  into  a 
backwater;  it  was  time  he  pulled  out  into  the  stream  again, 


10  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

and  fought  his  way  back  to  his  rightful  place,  inch  by  inch, 
against  whatever  tide  might  run. 

For  some  little  time  he  had  been  staying  with  Sir  Charles 
and  Lady  Martin,  two  people  who  had  looked  into  his  eyes 
when  he  had  denied  the  charges  brought  against  him,  and 
had  believed  him. 

As  he  crossed  the  lawn  toward  the  house  he  met  his 
host. 

"  I  have  had  an  adventure,  Charles ;  I  have  met  a  prin- 
cess." 

"There  are  some  pretty  rustic  maidens  in  the  village. 
I  have  been  struck  with  their  beauty  myself." 

"  I  mean  a  real  Princess ;  at  least,  she  said  so,"  Des- 
mond answered.  "She  was  playing  truant  from  school, 
a  large  white  house,  on  the  other  side  of  the  downs." 

"Do  you  mean  a  tall,  red-headed  girl?"  asked  Sir 
Charles. 

"  Have  you  seen  her  ?  "  Desmond  asked. 

"  No,  but  I  know  all  about  her." 

"Ah,  I  thought  you  couldn't  have  seen  her,  or  you 
wouldn't  describe  her  as  a  tall,  red-headed  girl.  She's  the 
most  beautiful  woman  I  ever  saw.  She  spoke  the  truth, 
then ;  she  is  a  Princess  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  but  the  sooner  she  forgets  the  fact  the  better 
for  her  and  for — for  everybody.  She  is  the  descendant  of 
a  line  of  rulers  chiefly  remarkable  for  their  inability  to  rule, 
and  her  chance  of  ascending  the  throne  of  her  fathers  is  ab- 
solutely nil,  fortunately  for  Europe.  You  are  not  a  stu- 
dent of  contemporary  history,  Desmond,  or  you  would 
know  something  about  Wallaria  and  its  exiled  Princess." 

"  I  am  not  a  diplomat,  but  a  soldier — at  least,  I  was," 
Desmond  answered.  "  Still,  I  should  like  to  improve  my 
knowledge." 

"  That  is  easily  managed,"  said  Sir  Charles.     "  If  you 


PLAYING  TRUANT  11 

come  into  the  library  I  can  find  you  a  heap  of  literature  con- 
cerning this  little  wasps'  nest  of  a  state,  and  when  you  have 
mastered  the  position,  thank  your  natal  stars  that  you  were 
not  born  to  take  a  hand  in  ruling  it.  It  is  a  menace  to 
Europe,  Desmond,  that's  the  truth  of  the  matter.  Wal- 
laria  may  at  any  time  be  the  cause  of  a  European  war.  If 
this  Princess  of  yours  had  her  way,  that  time  would  not  be 
long  in  coming." 

For  the  remainder  of  the  day  Desmond  Ellerey  filled  a 
comer  of  the  library  with  tobacco  smoke,  and  his  head  with 
a  thousand  details  concerning  Wallaria.  When  he  went  to 
dress  for  dinner  he  felt  that  he  had  been  reading  an  absorb- 
ing romance,  and  blessed  the  good  fortune  which  had 
brought  about  the  meeting  on  the  downs. 

"  Helen  and  I  have  been  talking  about  you,  Desmond," 
said  Sir  Charles  after  dinner. 

"  Not  revising  your  opinion  of  me,  I  hope." 

"  No,"  said  Lady  Martin,  "  but  thinking  of  your  future. 
Why  not  travel  for  a  little  while,  Desmond;  for  a  year  or 
so  ?  It  will  give  time  for  the  truth  to  leak  out.  It  will  leak 
out,  you  know,  even  as  a  lie  does." 

"  I  have  made  up  my  mind  to  go  abroad,"  said  Des- 
mond quietly.  "I  shall  clear  out  of  England  before  the 
month  is  over.  It  has  been  awfully  good  of  you  both  to 
have  me  here  at  a  time  when  most  of  my  friends  found  it 
convenient  to  forget  me.  I  shall  not  come  back  until  the 
men  who  were  so  ready  to  accuse  me  have  eaten  their  words 
and  the  country  so  ready  to  dispense  with  my  services  asks 
for  them  again." 

"  That  will  come  in  time,"  said  Lady  Martin. 

"I  am  glad  to  hear  your  determination,"  said  Sir 
Charles.  "  Where  are  you  going  ?  " 

"To  Wallaria." 

"  Wallaria !"     • 


12  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  Why  not  ?     It  seems  there  is  room  for  a  soldier  there." 

Sir  Charles  looked  grave. 

"  But,  Desmond,  supposing " 

"  I  know  what  you  would  say,"  returned  Ellerey  quickly. 
"  Supposing  Englishmen  should  have  to  fight  against  Wal- 
laria,  and  I  should  have  to  carry  arms  against  my  country ; 
well,  with  whom  does  the  fault  lie,  with  England  or  with 
me  ?  England  has  dispensed  with  my  services,  believing 
a  lie;  she  drives  me  from  her,  and  makes  me  a  renegade. 
What  allegiance  do  I  owe  to  England  ?  I  will  offer  my 
sword  to  Wallaria,  and  if  she  will  have  it,  by  Heaven,  she 
shall." 

Lady  Martin  put  her  hand  upon  his  shoulder,  pressed  it 
in  kindly  sympathy  for  a  moment,  and  then  left  the  room. 

"  Sleep  on  it,  Desmond,  you  will  think  better  of  it  in  the 
morning,"  said  Sir  Charles. 

"You  have  been  very  good  to  me,  both  of  you,"  said 
Ellerey,  turning  round  suddenly  when  Lady  Martin  had 
gone.  "I  can  never  thank  you  enough.  It  seems  poor 
gratitude  to  pain  you  now.  Such  a  contingency  as  we  imag- 
ine will  probably  never  arise,  but  I  have  decided  to  go." 

"  The  Princess  has  bewitched  you." 

"Nonsense.  Am  I  not  offering  my  sword  to  the 
usurper,  her  enemy  ?  My  ambitions  have  been  nipped  like 
a  tree  in  the  budding  here,  and  I  see  a  new  outlet  for  my  en- 
ergies yonder,  that  is  all.  My  own  country  despises  me.  I 
hope  for  better  things  from  the  country  of  my  adoption." 


CHAPTER  II. 

MONSIEUR   DE   FROILETTE 

AT  a  turn  of  the  road  which  had  been  deserted  for  some  two 
hours  past,  a  man  suddenly  reined  in  his  horse  to  a  walking 
pace.  He  had  ridden  far,  for  his  dress  was  dusty,  and  the 
animal  showed  signs  of  fatigue.  The  evening  was  stormy- 
looking,  and  there  was  a  bite  in  the  wind  blowing  from  the 
higher  lands  to  the  plain. 

The  road  ran,  with  many  a  twist  and  turn,  between 
dense  woods  on  one  side,  and  rugged  waste  ground,  with 
tangled  patches  of  undergrowth,  on  the  other.  Here  and 
there  a  clearing  had  been  made  in  the  woods,  and  a  rough 
dwelling  erected,  but  they  were  apparently  deserted ;  there 
were  no  signs  of  life  about  them  this  evening.  The  man 
rode  easily,  yet  with  constant  watchfulness.  The  times 
were  unsettled  and  dangerous,  and  the  slightest  unfamiliar 
sound  instantly  attracted  his  attention.  He  was  accus- 
tomed to  be  on  the  alert,  and  whatever  thoughts  held  sway 
behind  his  gloomy  looks,  they  were  not  sufficiently  absorb- 
ing to  render  him  careless  for  a  moment. 

Suddenly  he  pulled  his  horse  to  a  standstill,  turning 
sharply  in  his  saddle  to  look  back  upon  the  way  he  had 
come.  Then  he  examined  his  holster,  and,  moving  his 
horse  to  a  position  which  gave  him  a  better  command  of  the 
road,  sat  quietly  waiting. 

The  sound  which  had  attracted  his  attention  grew  rap- 
idly nearei,  and  presently  three  riders  came  round  the  bend 


14  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

at  a  gallop,  one  some  paces  in  advance  of  his  companions. 
He  pulled  up  short,  seeing  the  motionless  horseman  by  the 
roadside,  scenting  danger  and  ready  for  it;  but  the  next 
moment  he  raised  his  hat  with  pronounced  courtesy,  and 
bowed  low  in  his  saddle. 

"Pardon,  monsieur,"  he  said,  "but  one  sees  a  possible 
enemy  in  so  unexpected  an  encounter." 

"  Unexpected,  monsieur  ?  " 

"  I  said  so.     May  I  add  fortunate,  too  ?  " 

"Such  enemies  as  you  suggest  seldom  stand  singly," 
was  the  rather  ungracious  answer. 

"  And  in  these  times  wise  men  seldom  ride  alone,  mon- 
sieur,"  came  the  quick  retort.  "I  travel  with  an  escort 
myself,  you  see,  Captain  Ellerey.  I  do  not  make  a  mis- 
take, I  think;  you  are  Captain  Ellerey  of  his  Majesty's 
Regiment  of  Chasseurs  ?" 

"  That  is  my  name." 

"And  you  are  returning  to  Sturatzberg?  Good!  We 
can  proceed  together,"  and  without  waiting  for  an  assent 
to  this  arrangement,  he  ordered  his  servants  to  go  forward, 
and  watched  them  until  they  had  disappeared.  "Now, 
monsieur,  we  may  go  forward  at  our  leisure." 

"  I  have  not  the  honor  of " 

"  My  name.  Ah,  it  is  of  small  consequence.  Jules  de 
Froilette,  at  your  service.  It  is  unknown  to  you  ?" 

"  I  think  so,  but  your  face  seems  familiar,"  said  Ellerey, 
as  they  went  on  together. 

"Ah,  yes.     I  go  to  Court  sometimes." 

"And  I  but  seldom,  monsieur." 

"  Then  you  may  have  seen  me  in  the  streets  of  Sturatz- 
berg. I  know  the  city  well,  and  have  nothing  to  hide.  I 
have  interests  in  this  country,  let  us  say,  in  timber;  it  is  the 
answer  I  give  when  I  am  questioned,  for  no  one  respects  a 
lazy  man.  A  voluntary  exile  from  my  country,  I  have  no 


MONSIEUR  DE  FROILETTE  15 

quarrel  with  France,  nor  she  with  me.  In  these  days  men 
are  become  cosmopolitan,  is  it  not  so  ?" 

"  It  looks  like  it  in  Sturatzberg,"  Ellerey  replied. 

"  Monsieur  is  also  an  exile,  and  has  no  quarrel  with  his 
motherland  ?" 

"At  least  I  do  not  speak  of  it,  Monsieur  De  Froilette." 

"Pardon  me,  I  am  not  inquisitive.  You  crave  for 
excitement,  so  come  to  Sturatzberg.  The  promise  of  ad- 
venture will  ever  attract  men  of  spirit  and " 

"And  the  failures  at  home,"  suggested  Ellerey. 

"I  was  going  to  say  men  of  courage,"  De  Froilette 
answered,  "  but  the  failures  come,  too,  and  succeed — some- 
times." 

"You  are  as  doubtful  of  the  reward  as  I  am,"  said 
Ellerey,  laughing. 

De  Froilette  did  not  join  in  his  merriment. 

"A  Captain  of  Horse  is  not  to  be  despised,"  he  said 
slowly,  glancing  furtively  at  his  companion. 

'*  True,  but  he  remains  a  Captain  of  Horse.  I  expected 
rapid  events  in  this  country,  and  quick  promotion  for  those 
who  came  out  of  the  struggle  with  their  lives.  Instead, 
we  have  an  expedition  against  some  brigands'  fastness, 
which  is  deserted  when  we  arrive,  or  a  troop  to  quell  a 
petty  riot  which  has  fizzled  out  when  we  get  there,  and  that 
is  all." 

"And  monsieur  thirsts  for  more;  the  desperate  encoun- 
ter and  the  bloody  sword;  for  high  place  and  Court  favor." 

'*  Is  it  too  great  an  ambition  ? "  Ellerey  demanded. 
"Do  we  not  all  from  the  bottom  rung  of  the  ladder  look 
eagerly  toward  the  top — the  student  to  the  masters  of 
his  profession,  the  apprentice  to  the  seat  of  his  employer  ? 
Why  should  not  a  soldier  look  for  high  favor  at  Court  ?" 

"  Such  favor  must  be  won,  Captain  Ellerey." 

"  I  am  willing  to  win  it." 


16  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  Patience.  You  shall  not  always  find  those  fastnesses 
deserted,  those  riots  quelled  when  you  arrive.  This  is  the 
waiting  time,  the  preparing  time,  and  there  are  difficulties 
in  the  way  of  promotion.  Let  me  ask  you,  are  you  loved 
in  your  regiment  ?" 

"Neither  loved  nor  hated." 

"And  in  the  cityr" 

"I  have  few  friends.  A  Captain  of  Horse  does  not 
command  them." 

"That  is  not  the  reason.  It  is  because  you  are  a 
foreigner,"  De  Froilette  answered.  "  You  are  welcome  to 
fight  this  country's  battles,  welcome  to  get  killed  in  them, 
but  you  must  not  participate  in  any  rewards.  If  Sturatz- 
berg  could  do  without  us,  how  many  foreigners  would  wake 
to-morrow  in  the  city,  think  you  ?" 

"All  Europe  has  talked  of  such  a  rebellion,  but  it  does 
not  come,"  said  Ellerey. 

"  It  will,"  was  the  answer, "  and  if  you  are  strong  enough 
you  may  take  the  reward." 

"You  speak  in  riddles." 

"  Is  it  wise  to  speak  plainly  ?"  and  De  Froilette  swept 
out  his  arm  as  though  the  prospect  before  them  gave  the 
answer.  They  had  left  the  woods  and  the  rough  country 
behind  them,  and  were  approaching  houses,  for  Sturatzberg 
had  grown  and  spread  itself  beyond  its  walls.  In  the 
distance  the  lights  of  the  city  blinked  under  the  dome  of 
growing  darkness,  while  to  the  right  a  long  line  cf  light 
marked  the  citadel  and  the  palace  of  the  King. 

"  There  are  ever- watchful  eyes,  ever- waking  ears  about 
us,  looking  and  listening  for  treachery,"  De  Froilette  went 
on.  "  Every  man  suspects  his  neighbor,  and  has  fingers 
ready  for  the  knife  handle.  Yonder  in  the  citadel,  amid 
the  laughter  and  the  music,  a  dozen  plots  will  creep  forward 


17 

a  space  before  the  dawn.  Does  monsieur,  the  Captain, 
long  to  play  a  part  in  the  intrigues  there  ?" 

"Yes,  so  that  it  is  honest." 

"Monsieur  must  decide.  We  part  here,  it  is  better 
so.  Come  to  me  to-night,  at  the  Altstrasse,  12,  at  ten 
o'clock.  We  can  talk  further.  Until  then,  au  revoir" 
and  De  Froilette  put  his  horse  into  a  canter,  leaving  Ellerey 
to  pursue  his  way  alone. 

Entering  the  city  by  the  eastern  gate,  Ellerey  crossed 
the  Konigplatz  at  walking  pace  on  his  way  to  his  lodging 
by  the  Western  Gate.  They  were  a  pleasure-loving  people 
in  Sturatzberg,  working  as  little  as  possible,  and  spending 
without  a  thought  of  the  morrow.  The  cafes  were  full 
to-night,  the  laughter  sounded  genuine  enough,  and  there 
was  little  indication  of  the  coming  storm  of  revolution  so 
confidently  predicted  by  De  Froilette.  Ellerey's  mind 
was  busy  with  the  events  of  the  afternoon.  For  two  years 
he  had  been  in  Sturatzbeg,  ready  to  seize  the  opportunity 
of  distinguishing  himself  whenever  it  arose.  It  had  not 
come  yet.  His  life  had  been  passed  on  a  dead  level  of 
inactivity,  and  the  stirring  times  he  had  hoped  for  seemed 
as  far  away  as  ever.  Many  a  time  had  his  thoughts  gone 
back  to  that  breezy  morning  on  the  downs,  and  he  devoutly 
wished  that  Princess  Maritza  would  come  to  Sturatzberg, 
so  that  he  might  go  to  her,  claim  friendship  with  her,  and 
ask  for  that  work  for  his  good  right  arm  which  she  had 
promised  to  give.  Who  was  this  De  Froilette,  and  why 
should  he  take  an  interest  in  him  or  wish  to  help  him? 
For  such  favors  there  was  always  a  price  to  be  paid  in 
some  form  or  other.  Would  it  be  wise  to  go  to  the  Alt- 
strasse ?  And  another  question  came  to  him,  a  question 
that  set  his  pulse  beating  faster  for  a  moment.  Was  this  De 
Froilette  an  emissary  of  the  Princess  Maritza  ?  Might  she 
not  be  in  Sturatzberg  now  ?  Might  he  not  see  her  to-night  ? 
2 


18  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  I  would  risk  anything  for  that,"  he  said,  as  he  swung 
himself  from  the  saddle,  "  and  whatever  the  adventure  is, 
so  that  it  has  a  spice  of  danger  in  it,  it  is  welcome.  I  shall 
know  how  to  take  care  of  myself  if  the  price  asked  be  too 
heavy." 

A  big,  bearded  man  came  forward  to  take  the  horse, 
and  the  manner  in  which  he  drew  the  back  of  his  hand 
across  his  mouth  suggested  that  he  had  left  the  tankard 
hastily. 

"  Has  anyone  inquired  for  me,  Stefan  ?  " 

"  No,  Captain,  I  have  been  undisturbed  until  now,"  the 
man  answered  in  a  deep  voice  well  suited  to  his  frame, 
as  he  led  the  horse  away.  Knowing  his  soldier-servant's 
weakness  and  his  capacity  for  indulging  in  it  with  im- 
punity, Ellerey  wondered  how  long  a  time  he  would  re- 
quire undisturbed  before  signs  of  his  potations  showed 
themselves.  Drink  heavily  he  certainly  did,  but  since  he 
never  exhibited  any  ill  effects  from  it,  at  night  or  morning, 
it  would  have  been  unjust  to  call  him  a  drunkard. 

The  Altstrasse  was  of  the  old  town,  a  narrow  thorough- 
fare of  gaunt  houses  which  now  sheltered  a  dozen  families 
in  rooms  where  the  wealthy  had  once  lived,  and  in  which 
Ministers  and  Ambassadors  had  entertained  the  wit, 
beauty,  and  bravery  of  nations.  These  glories  had  de- 
parted to  the  palatial  buildings  which  had  grown  up  round 
the  citadel,  leaving  the  Altstrasse  as  misfortune  may  leave 
a  gentleman,  the  marks  of  breeding  evident  though  he  be 
clad  in  rusty  garments.  Over  the  doorways,  through 
which  tatterdemalions,  men,  women,  and  children, 
flocked  in  and  out,  were  handsome  carvings,  deep-cut 
crests  and  coats -of -arms ;  ragged  garments  were  hung 
to  dry  over  handsome  balustrades  and  wrought-iron  rail- 
ings; while  in  the  rough  and  broken  roadway  garbage, 
cast  there  days  since,  lay  rotting  where  it  had  fallen.  Poverty 


MONSIEUR  DE  FROILETTE  19 

had  seized  upon  the  place,  flaunting  poverty,  seeking 
no  concealment.  Ellerey  had  passed  through  the  Alt- 
strasse  before  to-night,  but  the  surroundings  had  had 
no  particular  interest  for  him  then.  Now  they  arrested 
his  attention.  What  plots  might  not  have  birth  and  grow 
to  dangerous  maturity  in  such  surroundings,  among  such 
people  as  these  ?  The  rabble  had  overrun  these  deserted 
mansions;  might  it  not  one  day  hammer  at  the  doors  of 
the  palaces  by  the  citadel  yonder  with  demands  not  to  be 
gainsaid  ?  What  manner  of  man  was  this  De  Froilette, 
what  ends  had  he  in  view,  that  he  should  live  in  such  a 
place  ? 

Number  12  looked  as  faded  as  its  neighbors,  showed 
even  fewer  lights  in  its  windows,  and,  except  that  no 
small  crowd  hung  about  the  closed  door,  was  no  whit 
more  attractive  than  ever.  Ellerey's  summons  was 
answered  immediately,  however,  and  he  entered  a  large 
bare  stone  hall,  the  dim  light  which  hung  in  the  centre 
disclosing  many  fast-closed  doors  on  either  side. 

"Monsieur  is  expected,"  said  the  man  deferentially, 
leading  the  way  down  a  stone  passage  and  up  a  flight  of 
stairs  to  a  landing  corresponding  with  the  hall  below.  But 
how  different !  Here  was  luxury.  A  deep  carpet  deadened 
the  footfall,  rich  curtains  hung  over  windows  and  door- 
ways, and  ancient  arms  were  upon  the  walls.  Ellerey  had 
little  time  to  appreciate  more  than  the  general  effect,  for 
the  man,  drawing  back  a  heavy  curtain,  opened  a  door, 
and  without  making  any  announcement  stood  aside  for 
him  to  enter. 

"Welcome,  mon  ami,  welcome,"  said  De  Froilette, 
coming  forward  to  meet  him.  "Confidences  are  easier 
here  than  on  the  highway." 

The  room  was  perfect,  the  abode  of  a  man  of  taste 
with  the  means  to  gratify  it  to  the  full.  It  was  costly  and 


20  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

unique,  a  collector's  room,  discriminately  arranged,  and 
the  owner,  motioning  his  guest  to  a  chair,  was  worthy  of 
his  surroundings.  In  the  afternoon  he  had  been  muffled 
in  a  cloak,  and  Ellerey  had  noticed  little  of  his  appearance 
beyond  the  fact  that  his  eyes  were  dark  and  restless.  Now 
he  saw  a  man  courtly  and  distinguished  in  a  manner, 
with  a  clever,  earnest  face,  at  once  attractive  and  inviting 
confidence.  His  hair,  cut  short,  and  his  beard  trimmed 
to  a  fine  point,  were  black  with  a  few  streaks  of  white  in 
them,  but  his  face  was  young  looking,  the  lines  few  and 
faint.  His  fifty  years  sat  lightly  upon  him.  One  would 
have  judged  him  a  student,  or  a  traveller,  rather  than  a 
politician,  or  a  man  fighting  life  strenuously. 

"  My  surroundings  surprise  you  ?"  he  said,  with  a  smile. 

"  Such  things  are  hardly  looked  for  in  the  Altstrasse," 
Ellerey  answered. 

"They  are  a  part  of  myself,  Captain  [Ellerey,  but  I 
wish  to  remain  in  privacy.  Your  elect  of  the  city  do  not 
naturally  visit  in  the  Altstrasse,  and  I  have  rooms  below 
bare  enough  to  impress  uninteresting  people  with  the  fact 
that  I  am  a  poor  sort  of  fellow,  and  likely  to  be  an  unprofit- 
able acquaintance.  For  my  friends — well,  you  see,  I  have 
other  apartments." 

"I  thank  you  for  the  preference  shown  me,"  said 
Ellerey,  with  a  bow. 

"And  since  we  parted  have  been  speculating  on  the 
reason,  is  it  not  so  ?" 

"Naturally." 

"  I  think  I  can  help  you ;  I  believe  you  can  assist  me. 
There  is  the  position  in  a  nutshell.  I  am  honest.  I  make 
no  pretence  of  liking  unprofitable  friends  myself.  But 
we  will  talk  afterward,  monsieur,"  he  added,  as  a  servant 
announced  supper,  and  De  Froilette  led  the  way  into  an 
adjoining  room. 


MONSIEUR  DE  FROILETTE  21 

The  meal  was  faultlessly  served  at  a  round  table  lighted 
by  candles  in  quaint  silver  candlesticks.  Although  not 
exactly  an  epicure,  De  Froilette  understood  a  supper  of 
this  description  as  perhaps  only  a  Frenchman  can,  and 
his  taste  in  wines  was  excellent.  He  led  the  conversation 
into  general  topics,  talked  of  Paris  and  London  with  equal 
ease  and  knowledge,  and  of  Berlin,  Vienna,  and  St.  Peters- 
burg only  a  little  less  intimately. 

"I  have  said  I  am  cosmopolitan,"  he  explained. 
"After  ail,  it  is  the  greatest  nationality  to  which  a  man  can 
belong.  Coffee  in  the  library,  Franyois." 

De  Froilette  ushered  his  guest  into  another  room,  which 
from  floor  to  ceiling  was  lined  with  books — books  on  all 
subjects  and  in  many  languages.  A  huge  writing-table, 
littered  with  letters  and  foreign  newspapers,  occupied  the 
centre  of  the  apartment,  which  was  evidently  a  working 
room,  though  luxurious  in  all  its  appointments.  De 
Froilette  did  not  speak  until  the  servant  had  placed  the 
coffee  on  a  side  table  and  had  left  the  room,  when  he  turned 
suddenly  toward  Ellerey. 

"  I  followed  you  to-day,  monsieur;  it  was  not  a  chance 
meeting." 

"I  am  not  surprised,"  said  Ellery.  "Twice  before 
you  overtook  me  I  heard  the  sound  of  galloping  horses, 
and  was  prepared  for  an  enemy." 

"And  instead,  behold  a  friend,"  De  Froilette  laughed, 
pushing  a  silver  box  of  cigarettes  across  the  table.  "  You 
must  bear  with  me  if  I  am  prosy  for  a  time.  I  can  promise 
you  that  the  end  of  the  story  is  better  than  the  beginning." 

Ellerey  settled  himself  to  listen  attentively. 

"The  history  of  this  country,  monsieur,  is  composed, 
as  it  were,  of  the  rough  ends  and  edges  of  the  histories  of 
other  countries.  Every  crisis  in  Europe  causes  trouble 
of  some  kind  here,  and  first  one  family  and  then  another 


22  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

have  become  paramount  in  Sturatzberg.  All  the  Powers 
have  recognized  one  fact,  however,  that  Wallaria  must  be 
kept  inviolate ;  so  it  is  that  this  is  an  independent  kingdom 
to-day.  The  position  is  unique,  and  gives  the  King,  within 
his  own  realm,  a  power  more  autocratic  than  the  Czar's 
should  he  care  to  use  it,  since  he  has  only  to  play  off  one 
great  Power  against  another  to  preserve  himself  from 
attack.  You  follow  me  ?  " 

Ellerey  murmured  an  assent,  wondering  what  this 
recital  was  to  lead  to. 

"  It  is  clear  that  his  Majesty  does  not  use  this  power," 
De  Froilette  went  on.  "He  may  be  timid,  he  may  lack 
ambition,  we  will  speak  no  treachery;  but  in  times  past 
there  have  been  ambitious  monarchs,  and  still  little  has 
happened.  Why?  Because,  monsieur,  recognizing  that 
this  country  is  one  of  the  chief  factors  in  preserving  the 
peace  of  Europe,  the  nations  have  sent  the  ablest  men  they 
possess  as  their  Ambassadors  to  Sturatzberg.  Your 
British  Minister  is  a  case  in  point.  The  result  is  that  to 
the  present  time  no  monarch  has  risen  with  courage  enough, 
allied  to  sufficient  political  acumen,  to  take  his  own  course, 
carry  it  to  success.  Have  you  ever  realized,  monsieur, 
that  Sturatzberg  might  play  with  the  nations  of  Europe  as 
a  gambler  plays  his  hand  of  cards  ?  " 

"I  am  no  diplomatist,"  Ellerey  answered. 

De  Froilette  shrugged  his  shoulders  as  though  the  point 
were  immaterial  to  him,  and  went  on : 

"  To  all  appearance,  the  facts  are  to-day  as  they  have 
always  been,  with  one  great  and  important  exception — 
the  people.  The  people  are  awaking  to  the  sensation  that 
they  are  ruled  and  oppressed,  for  so  they  consider  it,  by 
foreigners.  They  have  had  secretly  preached  to  them, 
and  they  understand,  what  possibilities  there  are;  and  a 
wave  of  national  enthusiasm  is  silently  stealing  through 


MONSIEUR  DE  FROILETTE  23 

the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land.  The  bolder  spirits 
have  already  declared  against  law  and  order,  as  it  exists, 
by  flying  to  the  hills  and  associating  themselves  with  the 
brigands  there.  The  forces  under  the  outlaw  Vasilici,  I 
am  told,  increase  daily.  You  have  heard  of  him,  Captain 
Ellerey?" 

"And  have  tried  to  find  him,"  Ellerey  answered,  with  a 
smile.  "But  his  fastness  in  the  mountains  was  always 
deserted  when  we  got  there." 

"Some  day  it  will  not  be.  A  leader  worthy  of  the 
cause  will  be  found.  The  people  will  remember  that  there 
are  others  with  an  equal,  or  better,  right  to  the  throne  than 
his  Majesty,  and  then  you  will  have  the  revolution." 

"I  presume,  monsieur,  the  leader  is  found,  and  only 
awaits  the  opportunity  ?  "  said  Ellerey. 

"You  are  right,  Captain,  she  is  found,"  De  Froilette 
answered  slowly. 

"A  woman !"  Ellerey  exclaimed,  and  he  felt  the  color 
flush  to  his  face  as  he  spoke.  He  forgot  for  a  moment 
that  his  sword  was  pledged  to  the  King.  His  thoughts 
went  back  to  that  breezy  morning  on  the  downs,  and  the 
tall,  straight  girl  with  her  bright  hair  streaming  in  the  wind. 

De  Froilette  laughed. 

"A  woman,  Captain  Ellerey,  who  destines  you  for  high 
service.  Let  her  plead  for  herself,"  and  as  he  spoke  he 
opened  the  door,  and  stood  aside  with  bowed  head. 

A  woman  entered.  Tall  she  was,  and  of  imperial  mien. 
Diamonds  glistened  in  the  coils  of  her  raven  hair.  Her  face 
was  beautiful,  her  smiling  lips  and  deep,  soft  eyes,  full  of 
sympathy  and  tenderness,  seemed  incapable  of  any  stern 
expression  of  anger.  A  woman  born  to  rule,  born  to  lead, 
but  not  the  woman  Ellerey  had  expected  to  see. 

It  was  the  Queen,  and  Ellerey  bowed  low  before  her. 

*'  You  have  not  been  unnoticed  by  us,  Captain  Ellerey," 


24  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

she  said  in  a  low  voice,  "  and  we  would  have  you  more  con- 
stantly at  Court." 

"  I  shall  obey  your  Majesty,"  Ellerey  answered. 

"  There  are  stirring  times  at  hand,"  she  went  on ;  "  times 
in  which  men  may  strive  and  win.  His  majesty,  the  King, 
is  fettered,  politically  bound,  by  conflicting  interests, 
watched,  carefully  nursed  by  this  Power  and  by  that.  He  is 
unable  to  move  as  his  people  would  have  him.  It  is  for  me 
to  act  for  him  in  this  matter,  secretly  until  the  appointed 
hour  strikes.  Remember,  Captain  Ellerey,  I  am  Queen 
as  his  Majesty  is  King,  with  equal  rights,  not  as  consort 
merely.  Your  sword  is  pledged  to  me  as  to  the  King. 
Therefore  I  can  demand  your  service.  I  prefer  to  ask  it." 

"Your  Majesty  is  gracious." 

"It  will  be  secret  service,  for  the  present  secret  even 
from  the  King.  I  may  require  it  to-morrow,  a  week  hence, 
or  it  may  be  in  a  month's  time.  I  cannot  tell.  It  is  peril- 
ous service,  but  that  will  not  deter  Captain  Desmond 
Ellerey.  May  I  claim  your  full  and  perfect  allegiance  ?  " 

"  I  hold  myself  entirely  at  your  Majesty's  disposal." 

"You  shall  not  find  me  ungrateful,"  she  said,  giving 
him  her  hand.  "  Choose  you  a  dozen  stout  men  on  whom 
you  can  rely.  Good  pay  you  may  promise  them.  Have 
them  in  readiness  to  set  out  at  an  hour's  notice.  Then 
wait  and  watch.  We  shall  call  you  into  private  audience 
on  some  occasion,  either  personally  or  by  Monsieur  De 
Froilette,  and  now  that  we  have  found  the  man,  may  the 
time  be  quick  in  coming." 

There  was  delicate  flattery  in  her  words  and  manner, 
yet  withal  perfect  consciousness  of  her  own  power,  the 
power  that  beauty  gives.  Ellerey  felt  the  magic  of  her 
influence,  and  his  eyes  looked  unflinchingly  into  hers  for 
a  moment;  the  woman  in  her  understood  what  manner 
of  man  he  was  in  whom  she  trusted. 


25 

**  If  I  read  you  aright,  Captain  Ellerey,"  she  said,  with 
a  radiant  smile,  "it  is  not  your  nature  to  be  frivolous,  to 
catch  pleasure  as  it  flies  and  play  with  it  while  the  bubble 
lasts;  yet  must  you  school  yourself  to  do  so.  The  light- 
hearted  cavalier  and  careless  lover  will  not  be  suspected 
of  any  deep  design,  and  it  would  be  well  that  that  should 
seem  your  character  at  Court.  More  easily  will  you  keep 
the  nearer  to  our  person,  for  love  of  pleasure  and  the  grati- 
fication of  the  moment  is  thought  to  be  our  end  and  aim  also. 
Even  his  Majesty  is  deceived  in  this,  and  knows  not  that 
under  the  sufrace  we  are  working  night  and  day  in  his 
cause.  Monsieur  De  Froilette  shall  see  to  it  that  you  have 
ample  opportunity  to  be  merry,  and  I  promise  you  active, 
hazardous  service,  work  after  your  own  heart,  in  the  near 
future." 

"  In  the  one  as  in  the  other,  I  shall  hope  to  win  your 
Majesty's  approval,"  Ellerey  answered. 

The  Queen  turned,  and  retired  as  quickly  as  she  had 
come.  De  Froilette  bowed  low  as  she  passed  out,  but 
exchanged  no  word  with  her,  nor  did  he  attempt  to  follow 
her.  Her  coming  and  her  going  had  evidently  been  pre- 
arranged for  Ellerey's  benefit. 

''  I  surprise  you  for  the  second  time  to-night,"  said  De 
Froilette,  as  he  closed  the  door. 

"  Yes,  I  expected  another  woman — Princess  Maritza." 

De  Froilette  started  at  the  name,  and  looked  keenly 
at  his  companion.  For  an  instant  he  showed  surprise, 
perhaps  annoyance,  but  he  was  quickly  himself  again,  and 
asked  quietly: 

"  What  do  you  know  of  the  Princess  Maritza  ?  " 

"  I  have  studied  something  of  the  history  of  this  country 
in  my  leisure,  monsieur,  that  is  all;  and  I  fancied  you 
might  be  interested  yourself  in  the  fortunes  of  the  exile. 


26  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

You  spoke  of  others  with  an  equal  or  better  right  than  his 
Majesty." 

"  I  was  thinking  of  the  Queen.  The  Princess  is  impos- 
sible. Her  fathers  sat  upon  the  throne,  it  is  true,  and  by 
their  misplaced  ambition  and  folly  not  only  lost  the  support 
of  every  foreign  Power,  but  alienated  the  love  of  the  people 
besides.  Her  father  barely  escaped  assassination.  The 
Princess  is  known  to  me,  as  her  father  was.  At  present 
she  is  in  England." 

"  Does  she  make  no  claim  for  herself  ?" 

"  She  might  were  the  throne  vacant,  but  she  could  not 
succeed.  The  people  would  never  accept  her.  In  two 
days  will  you  do  me  the  honor  of  accompanying  me  to 
Court,  as  her  Majesty  desires  ?  " 

"  The  honor  will  be  mine.  I  thank  you  for  bringing 
me  into  notice,"  Ellerey  answered. 

"  I  will  come  for  you  at  your  lodging,"  said  De  Froilette, 
and  then  a  servant  entered,  apparently  without  being 
summoned,  and  in  silence  conducted  Ellerey  to  the  bare 
hall  again.  All  the  doors  were  fast  closed  as  before,  but 
the  air  seemed  to  vibrate  with  life  and  the  silence  to  be 
ready  to  break  into  a  hoarse  roar  of  voices  at  a  moment's 
notice.  Yet  only  in  a  window  here  and  there  was  there  a 
dim  light  when  Ellerey  looked  up  at  the  gloomy  house  as 
he  stood  alone  in  the  Altstrasse. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  WOMAN   IN   THK  SILK  MASK 

ONCE  alone,  there  were  many  questions  which  Ellerey 
regretted  he  had  not  put  to  his  host,  and  some  misgivings 
arose  in  his  mind  whether  he  had  not  been  led  to  promise 
service  which  might  be  contrary  to  the  oath  which  he  had 
taken  to  the  King.  The  scheme  to  enlist  his  help  had 
evidently  been  carefully  considered  and  prepared,  with 
the  result  that  he  had  pledged  himself  to  some  hazardous 
task  of  the  nature  of  which  he  was  entirely  ignorant.  Not 
a  clue  had  been  given  him,  and  were  he  desirous  of  turning 
traitor,  he  realized  that  it  was  not  within  his  power  to  do  so. 
Not  a  word  of  information  could  he  speak,  and  who  would 
believe  that  alone,  and  apparently  unattended,  the  Queen 
had  visited  the  Altstrasse  at  midnight  ?  That  she  had  done 
so  for  the  purpose  of  speaking  to  him  proved  to  Ellerey  that 
her  need  for  him  was  urgent ;  that  she  had  explained  noth- 
ing pointed  to  the  fact  that  she  was  not  inclined  to  trust 
him  fully  at  present. 

"I  judge  there  is  work  for  my  sword,"  he  said,  as  he 
drew  his  cloak  closer  round  him.  "It  would  seem  there 
is  employment  for  my  wits  also.  At  least,  I  have  my  wish: 
a  part  to  play  which  holds  possibilities.  A  Queen,  a  de- 
signing Frenchman,  and  an  ambitious  Captain  of  Horse, 
who  may  be  a  fool.  Well,  the  drama  may  prove  exciting. 
We  shall  see!" 

Desmond  Ellerey  was,  after  all,  an  adventurer,  of  the 


28  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

better  sort,  perhaps ;  driven  to  the  life  by  force  of  circum- 
stances— yet  still  an  adventurer.  His  position  proclaimed 
him  one.  He  looked  for  reward  from  the  country  which 
had  purchased  his  sword,  and  had  no  inclination  to  fritter 
away  his  chances  of  espousing  any  cause  but  the  winning 
one.  At  the  same  time  he  was  an  Englishman:  a  birth 
privilege  carrying  with  it  weighty  responsibilities,  which 
he  could  not  away  with  as  easily  as  he  had  cast  aside  his 
country.  There  were  few  ties  to  bind  him  to  England. 
He  had  become  that  unenviable  member  of  a  family — the 
black  sheep.  He  had  run  deeply  into  debt;  a  fact  that  had 
grievously  told  against  him  when  he  had  to  face  the  accusa- 
tions which  had  ruined  his  career.  In  withdrawing  from 
England  he  had  probably  left  only  two  friends,  Sir  Charles 
and  Lady  Martin,  who  would  ever  trouble  to  send  a  kindly 
thought  after  him.  His  going  had  aroused  the  keenest 
satisfaction  in  the  breast  of  his  brother,  Sir  Ralph  Ellerey, 
tenth  baronet  of  the  name,  who  was  quite  ready  to  believe 
the  very  worst  that  was  said  of  Desmond,  remarking  that 
it  was  little  more  than  he  expected.  Sir  Ralph's  cast  of 
mind  was  perhaps  narrow  and  ungenerous,  but,  since  the 
sympathy  so  usually  shown  to  the  open-handed  spend- 
thrift was  not  forthcoming  in  this  case,  it  must  be  assumed 
that  popular  opinion  condemned  Desmond  Ellerey,  and 
sympathized  with  Sir  Ralph.  It  had  been  easy,  therefore, 
for  Desmond  to  become  a  stranger  to  his  native  land;  it 
was  impossible  for  him  to  forget  that  he  was  an  English- 
man :  that  a  peculiar  code  of  honor  was  demanded  of  him 
by  the  fact. 

The  Altstrasse  was  deserted  as  he  passed  through  it 
the  lights  were  out  in  most  of  the  houses,  and  silence  was 
over  the  whole  city.  The  sky  was  black  with  clouds, 
giving  promise  of  heavy  rain  before  morning  if  the  wind 
dropped.  Ellerey  walked  quickly,  his  ears  alert,  and  his 


THE  WOMAN  IN  THE  SILK  MASK         29 

eyes  keenly  searching  every  shadow  on  either  side  of  him. 
Attacks  in  the  street  for  the  purpose  of  plunder  were  of 
too  general  occurrence  to  make  a  lonely  walk  in  Sturatz- 
berg  safe  or  desirable  at  night,  and  in  this  quarter  of  the 
city  help  would  be  slow  in  coming. 

As  he  turned  out  of  the  Altstrasse,  a  woman,  coming 
hastily  in  the  opposite  direction,  ran  against  him,  and,  with 
a  faint  cry,  started  back  in  fear.  A  cloak  was  gathered 
tightly  round  her,  showing  nothing  of  her  dress  and  little 
of  her  figure,  and  the  hood  of  it  was  pulled  so  low  down 
that  little  of  her  face  was  visible. 

"  Help,  monsieur!"  she  cried,  striving  for  breath,  which 
came  in  spasmodic  pants  after  her  running.  "Help, 
monsieur,  if  you  be  a  man !  " 

"  How  can  I  serve  you  ?  " 

"Ah,  a  soldier!"  she  cried,  seeing  the  cloak  he  wore. 
"Quick!  There  is  no  time  to  delay.  While  we  speak, 
murder  is  being  done." 

"Where?" 

"  Come.  It  is  a  house  yonder.  Are  you  armed  ?  Ah, 
but  they  are  cowards,  and  only  attack  defenceless  women ! " 
And  she  plucked  him  by  the  arm  to  compel  him  to  follow 
her.  She  did  not  appeal  in  vain. 

"  Show  me,"  Ellerey  said,  and  taking  her  hand,  that  he 
might  help  her  pace,  he  ran  with  her,  their  footsteps 
resounding  along  the  silent  street. 

As  they  ran,  he  tried  to  get  a  better  view  of  her  face,  but 
in  vain.  He  noticed  that  her  cloak,  which  flapped  out- 
ward with  every  step  she  took,  revealed  a  rich  white  skirt 
beneath,  and  there  was  the  rustle  of  silk.  She  kept  up 
bravely  with  him,  seeming  to  gain  new  courage  in  his  com- 
pany. She  led  him  round  two  corners,  across  a  dark 
square,  and  to  the  open  door  of  a  house  in  a  small  street 
beyond. 


30  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"Quick!  They  are  within.  Straight  up  the  stairs  to 
the  first  floor." 

Ellerey  released  his  hold  of  the  girl;  indeed,  she  pulled 
her  hand  away  that  she  might  not  detain  him  from  dashing 
to  the  rescue,  and,  as  he  touched  the  stairs,  he  heard  the 
door  close  with  a  loud  reverberating  slam  hehind  him. 

"Quickly!"  she  cried  after  him. 

The  house  was  dark  and  quiet,  doubly  quiet  it  seemed 
now  that  the  door  had  closed.  Not  a  sound  came  from 
the  rooms  above,  as  Ellerey  went  up  the  stairs.  If  murder 
were  here  to-night,  he  had  surely  come  too  late. 

He  had  reached  the  top  of  the  stairs,  had  stretched  out 
his  hand  to  feel  his  way  by  the  wall,  and  had  paused  to 
listen  for  a  sound  or  to  discern  a  glimmer  of  light  to  guide 
him,  when  suddenly  the  air  about  him  seemed  to  break 
into  life,  and  before  he  had  time  to  turn  and  throw  his  back 
against  the  wall,  strong  arms  were  about  his  shoulders  and 
legs.  In  an  instant  Ellerey  had  grasped  one  man  in  the 
darkness,  and  kicked  himself  free  from  a  second,  who  went 
rolling  down  the  stairs,  uttering  curses  as  he  struck  the 
balustrade  heavily,  making  it  crack  to  breaking  point. 
Another  received  his  heel  squarely  in  the  face,  and  dropped 
with  a  thud  upon  the  floor,  a  thud  that  almost  had  the 
sound  of  finality  in  it.  Meanwhile  the  man  he  had  seized 
wrenched  himself  free,  and  another  pair  of  arms  were  flung 
round  Ellerey's  waist,  obviously  to  prevent  his  getting  at 
any  weapon  he  might  carry.  Ellerey  strained  every  nerve 
to  free  himself  from  this  assailant  and  to  get  his  back  to  the 
wall,  striking  out  right  and  left,  now  hitting  a  man's  neck 
or  shoulder,  now  landing  a  heavy  blow  between  eyes  he 
could  not  see,  anon  beating  the  air  only.  How  many  his 
adversaries  were  he  could  not  determine.  The  air  was 
full  of  panting  breaths  and  growling  imprecations,  of  sway- 
ing bodies,  and  heavy  blows,  which  were,  for  the  most  part, 


THE  WOMAN  IN  THE  SILK  MASK         31 

wide  of  the  mark.  Every  moment  Ellerey  expected  to  be 
his  last;  expected  to  feel  the  sharp  thrust  of  a  blade,  or  to 
fall  into  sudden  oblivion  before  the  sound  of  the  revolver 
shot  had  time  to  reach  his  ears.  Yet  he  still  lived ;  fighting, 
struggling,  being  slowly  spent  by  the  odds  against  him. 
Why  did  these  murderers  not  end  it  ?  Were  they  fearful 
of  injuring  a  comrade  in  the  darkness,  or  were  they  desirous 
of  not  injuring  him  too  severely  ?  Indeed,  it  seemed  so. 
Had  he  fallen  into  a  trap,  baited  with  the  frightened  woman 
who  had  petitioned  him  for  help  ?  The  thought  that  he 
could  have  been  such  a  fool,  that  so  transparent  a  device 
should  have  deceived  him,  maddened  him,  and  he  redoubled 
his  exertions  to  free  himself,  trying  to  drag  his  assailants 
with  him  to  the  head  of  the  stairs,  so  that  he  might  fling 
himself  and  them  down,  and  chance  regaining  his  liberty 
in  the  shock  of  the  fall.  But  the  men  appeared  to  perceive 
his  motive,  and  redoubled  their  efforts,  too,  straining  every 
nerve  to  end  the  struggle.  The  man  who  held  him  round 
the  waist  was  dragged  this  way  and  that,  yet  never  for  a 
moment  relaxed  his  hold.  Other  hands  were  upon  his 
legs  now,  and  Ellerey  suddenly  felt  his  feet  drawn  together 
with  a  snap.  The  next  instant  he  was  thrown  backward, 
knees  were  pressed  upon  his  chest,  his  arms  were  twisted 
and  caught  with  a  rope,  his  ankles  bound  together,  and 
he  was  helpless. 

"I'd  like  to  bury  this  knife  in  your  cursed  carcass," 
whispered  a  voice  in  his  ear. 

"  I've  been  expecting  you  to  do  so,"  said  Ellerey,  pant- 
ing for  breath.  "  Why  don't  you  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know.     By  Heaven,  I  don't  know  why  not." 

"Well,  I'm  sure  I  don't,"  panted  Ellerey. 

"  Is  he  secure  ?  "  said  another  voice. 

"Yes,"  at  least  half  a  dozen  voices  answered. 


32  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"Then  drag  him  in.  Perhaps  we'll  have  leave  to 
despatch  him  presently." 

A  door  was  opened,  and,  with  scant  ceremony,  Ellerey 
was  dragged  by  his  feet  across  the  floor  into  a  room.  The 
door  was  shut  again,  and  someone  produced  a  lantern. 

Ellerey  found  himself  lying  in  a  bare  room  with  seven 
or  eight  men  standing  in  a  circle  round  him,  regarding  him 
with  sullen  and  angry  looks,  yet  with  curiosity  and  some 
respect;  and  on  more  than  one  face  there  were  marks  of 
the  struggle,  savage  flushes  that  would  blacken  to-morrow, 
and  blood  on  lips.  He  looked  from  one  to  the  other,  but 
saw  no  face  he  recognized,  yet  they  were  not  such  a  mur- 
derous set  of  scoundrels  as  he  had  expected  to  see,  and 
although  more  than  one  of  them,  perhaps,  would  have 
taken  the  keenest  pleasure  in  burying  a  knife-blade  in  him 
to  revenge  the  hurt  he  had  received,  it  appeared  evident 
that  some  consideration  held  them  back.  Whatever  they 
contemplated  doing,  murder  was  not  their  intention. 

"  It  takes  a  lot  to  knock  the  sense  out  of  you,"  said  one 
man,  and  Ellerey  thought  he  recognized  the  voice  which 
had  ordered  him  to  be  dragged  into  the  room :  "  and  there 
are  one  or  two  of  us  who  have  something  to  settle.  That 
must  wait  for  a  more  convenient  season.  " 

"  If  I  am  to  make  a  fight  for  it,  it  certainly  must,"  said 
Ellerey,  with  a  smile.  "  I  suppose  it's  no  use  asking  you 
to  loosen  my  wrist  a  little.  The  cord  is  very  tight." 

"Not  a  bit  of  use." 

"  May  I  know  why  you  have  trapped  me  in  this  way  ? 
I  should  like  to  see  the  little  hussy  who  deceived  me." 

The  men  laughed. 

"She's  a  safe  bait,  is  a  woman,  all  the  world  over," 
said  the  spokesman,  "and  this  one's  finished  her  part  of 
the  business  well  enough.  Now  our  parts  have  got  to  be 


THE  WOMAN  IN  THE  SILK  MASK         33 

done.  Some  time  to-night  you  received  a  token.  We 
want  it." 

"You  are  welcome  to  any  token  I  received,"  Ellerey 
answered. 

"  Give  it  me,  then." 

"  Because  I  received  none,"  Ellerey  added. 

"  That's  a  lie,"  said  one  man. 

"  It  is  well  for  you  that  I  am  bound  hand  and  foot," 
said  Ellerey  quietly.  "If  I  remember  your  face,  I  may 
ask  you  to  repeat  that  some  day." 

"I  ask  you  again  to  give  me  the  token  you  received 
to-night.  Once  it  is  in  my  hands,  you  are  free  to  depart," 
said  the  spokesman. 

"And  I  repeat  that  I  received  no  token  to-night," 
answered  Ellerey. 

"Search  him!  "  cried  several  voices,  and  at  a  gesture 
from  their  leader,  they  fell  on  their  knees  beside  him. 

It  was  rough  handling  Ellerey  received  for  the  next  few 
minutes.  His  coat  was  torn  open;  rough  hands  were 
thrust  into  his  pockets,  and  even  his  under-garments  were 
rent  apart  lest  by  any  means  he  should  have  secured  the 
token  next  his  skin. 

"  There  is  nothing,"  they  said,  rising  to  their  feet  one 
by  one.  The  last  man  knelt  a  moment  longer,  and  turned 
an  evil  eye  toward  his  chief. 

"May  it  not  happen  by  an  accident  ?"  he  said.  "An 
accident  would  be  forgiven,  and  it  would  be  so  much  safer." 

The  dim  light  shone  on  the  keen  blade  the  man  had 
ripped  eagerly  from  his  girdle,  and  Ellerey  doubted  whether 
the  chief's  word  would  have  power  to  save  him ;  whether, 
indeed,  it  would  be  spoken.  His  salvation  came  from 
quite  an  unexpected  quarter. 

"  Why  that  knife,  Nicolai  ?  "  said  a  voice  which  caused 
the  man  to  spring  to  his  feet, and  ma  de  Ellerey  turn  his 
3 


34 

head.  "  You  would  dare  to  disobey  my  commands ,  Nicolai  ? 
Stand  aside.  I  have  no  faith  in  you." 

The  ruffian  slunk  back  into  the  shadows  of  the  room 
without  a  word.  Ellerey  was  astonished  that  so  mild  a 
reprimand  should  have  so  great  an  effect.  He  looked  at  the 
dim  figure,  which  the  mean  light  of  the  lantern  revealed; 
a  woman's  figure,  closely  cloaked  from  head  to  foot,  while 
an  ample  scarf  was  wound  round  her  head,  and  her  face 
hidden  by  a  silken  mask.  She  had  entered  by  a  door 
somewhat  behind  him,  and  he  and  the  man  who  was  so 
desirous  of  killing  him  were  the  last  to  become  aware  of 
her  presence. 

"  Have  you  found  it  ?  "  she  demanded,  after  a  pause. 

"No;  he  declares  no  token  was  given.  At  any  rate, 
it  is  not  upon  him,"  answered  the  man  who  was  in  charge 
of  the  ruffians. 

The  woman  took  the  lantern  from  the  man  who  carried 
it,  and,  as  she  held  it  up,  saw  more  distinctly  the  faces  of 
the  men  about  her. 

"  He  has  given  you  trouble,  it  seems.  You  bear  marks 
of  the  conflict.  Eight  of  you." 

"And  two  on  the  stairs  who  have  not  yet  recovered," 
said  one. 

"  He  should  be  a  good  man,  then,  for  a  hazardous  enter- 
prise," and  the  woman  bent  down,  holding  the  lantern  low 
to  look  into  Ellerey's  face. 

Ellerey  could  see  the  eyes  through  the  holes  in  the  silk 
mask,  but  they  told  him  nothing.  He  had  hardly  noticed 
the  eyes  of  the  woman  who  had  stopped  him  at  the  corner 
of  the  Altstrasse ;  he  did  not  know  whether  they  were  the 
same.  This  woman  seemed  taller ;  yet  there  was  a  familiar 
ring  in  her  voice.  She  gazed  at  him  for  some  moments  in 
silence,  and  then,  standing  erect,  handed  the  lantern  to 
one  of  the  men.  Behind  the  mask  she  smiled. 


35 

"  Your  cut-throats,  madam,  have  made  a  mistake.  I 
have  no  token,"  said  Ellerey. 

"  Do  any  of  you  know  this  man  ?"  she  asked,  turning 
to  her  followers. 

"  A  foreigner,"  growled  one. 

"A  soldier,"  said  another. 

"A  King's  man,"  said  a  third,  "  and  better  put  out  of  the 
way,  if  I  may  advise." 

"  You  would  be  as  Nicolai  yonder,  under  my  displeas- 
ure," she  answered  sharply.  "  Have  a  care.  I  shall  know 
how  to  deal  with  the  first  man  who  disobeys  me." 

Was  this  the  Queen  ?  Ellerey  thought  she  must  be, 
half-believing  he  recognized  something  familiar  in  her 
manner.  Was  this  her  method  of  proving  his  daring  before 
she  fully  trusted  him  ? 

"You  have  no  token ?"  she  said,  addressing  Ellerey. 

"  No,  madam." 

"Yet  you  went  on  a  secret  mission  to  the  Altstrasse 
to-night  ?  " 

"  I  went  openly." 

"  Openly !  To  visit  whom  ?  " 

"Surely,  one  who  lives  in  the  Altstrasse,"  Ellerey 
answered. 

"And  were  graciously  entertained  ?  " 

"  I  ate  and  drank,  madam,  and  both  food  and  drink 
seemed  to  me  of  excellent  quality." 

"And  afterward?" 

"We  talked." 

"Monsieur  De  Froilette,  you,  and " 

"  Yes,  madam,  we  talked,  and  smoked,  but  the  matter 
of  the  token  surprises  me.  I  heard  no  word  of  such  a 
thing  mentioned." 

"I  am  inclined  to  believe  you,"  she  answered.  "You 
have  not  yet  been  sufficiently  proved." 


36  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  I  would  bow  my  thanks  for  your  compliment,  were  I 
able.  I  make  but  a  sorry  picture  at  the  moment,  I  fear, 
but  my  ragged  and  hardly  respectable  appearance  you 
will  excuse.  May  I  know  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for 
this  adventure  ?  " 

"  Not  yet.     I  may  have  need  of  you  again." 

"An  invitation  less  hastily  devised  would  please  me 
better,"  said  Ellery.  "  I  am  not  rich  enough  to  advent- 
ure such  good  garments  as  these  often." 

"A  bullet  would  certainly  have  made  less  havoc  with 
them,  Captain  Ellerey,"  she  returned. 

The  mention  of  his  name  startled  him. 

"A  word  of  warning,"  she  went  on.  "Beware  of 
Monsieur  De  Froilette,  and  of  any  enterprise  he  may 
handle.  There  will  be  specious  promises,  but  small  ful- 
filment. Beware  of  the  lady  who  visited  the  Altstrasse 
to-night.  Hesitate  to  do  her  bidding.  Unless  I  mistake 
not,  you  will  thank  me  for  the  warning  one  day,  and 
then,  turning  to  the  men  about  her,  she  said,  "  Unloose 
him." 

They  hesitated,  and  did  not  move. 

"Unloose  him,  I  say,"  and  she  stamped  her  foot 
sharply. 

Two  or  three  fell  on  their  knees  beside  Ellerey  and 
unfastened  the  cords,  and,  stretching  his  limbs  to  take 
some  of  the  ache  out  of  them,  he  rose  to  his  feet. 

"  You  are  free,"  she  said ;  "  but  for  the  safety  of  these 
men,  you  must  consent  to  be  blindfolded,  and  led  to  the 
place  you  came  from." 

"  By  the  same  lady  who  brought  me  here  ?  "  Ellerey 
inquired. 

"  That  might  hardly  be  to  her  liking,"  was  the  answer. 

At  a  sign  from  her,  Ellerey's  eyes  were  bound  with  a 


THE  WOMAN  IN  THE  SILK  MASK         37 

scarf,  and  in  a  few  minutes  he  was  being  guided  along 
the  streets. 

"  One  moment,  monsieur,"  said  one  of  his  guides,  pres- 
ently. "  There  are  footsteps,  surely ! " 

Ellerey  stood  still  and  waited,  listening.  He  heard 
no  footsteps,  and  presently  did  not  perceive  the  breath- 
ing of  the  man  beside  him.  Then  he  understood  the  ruse, 
and  tore  the  bandage  from  his  eyes.  He  was  alone  at 
the  corner  of  the  Altstrasse,  and  the  rain  was  beating 
slantwise  into  his  face. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE   COURT   OF  STURATZBERG 

ELLEREY'S  servant  had  fallen  asleep  on  a  settle,  partly 
induced,  perhaps,  by  the  liquor  the  empty  tankard  be- 
side him  had  held,  but  he  started,  wide  awake  on  the 
instant,  as  his  master  entered.  Ellery  expected  him  to 
remark  upon  his  sorry  condition,  as  he  threw  off  his  cloak, 
but  the  man  did  not  do  so. 

"There  has  been  some  rough  handling  in  my  neigh- 
borhood to-night,  Stefan." 

"That's  plain  enough,  Captain,"  was  the  answer. 
"They  were  good  clothes,  too." 

"And  interest  you  more  than  the  man  inside  them," 
said  Ellerey,  grimly. 

"  For  the  moment,  yes.  The  man  is  unhurt,  while  the 
clothes  are  only  fit  for  the  rag-shop  or  to  be  given  to  me." 

"And,  for  choice,  you  would  sooner  have  a  corpse  to 
deal  with,  so  that  the  clothes  were  untorn  ?  " 

Stefan  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"  I  could  spare  most  of  my  acquaintances  to  be  made 
corpses  of,  for  acquaintances  are  easier  come  by  than  good 
clothes.  It  was  a  street  attack,  Captain,  I  suppose  ? " 

"They  are  common  enough  in  Sturatzberg,"  Ellerey 
answered  lightly. 

"The  tale  will  serve  as  well  as  another,"  Stefan 
returned.  "  If  I  tell  it,  I  am  not  compelled  to  believe  it, 
and  if  I  chance  to  be  lying,  it  is  no  sin  of  mine." 


THE  COURT  OF  STURATZBERG  39 

"  Why,  rascal,  what  else  should  it  be  ?  " 

"It  might  be  a  friend  turned  enemy,  or  the  pursuit 
of  a  woman,  or  the  touching  of  one  of  the  many  intrigues 
in  Sturatzberg;  but  let  it  be  a  street  attack.  Was  any 
man  left  sobbing  out  his  life  in  the  corner  of  the  wall  ? 
It  is  well  to  have  the  story  complete." 

"No;  it  was  an  encounter  of  blows  and  bruises  only." 

"  In  such  a  plight  as  yours  most  men  would  have  had 
some  boast  to  make,  pointing  to  their  own  condition  to 
prove  their  statements.  I  have  heard  of  half  a  dozen 
men  lying  dead,  or  dying,  at  a  street  corner,  victims  to  a 
single  sword,  yet  was  there  never  a  corpse  to  be  found 
in  the  morning.  Your  easy  boaster  is  ever  a  ready  liar." 

"  Patch  up  the  clothes  and  wear  them,  Stefan,  if  you 
can  persuade  your  bulk  into  them,"  laughed  Ellerey. 
"  Some  day,  perhaps,  when  I  am  certain  of  your  affection, 
I  may  tell  you  more  of  the  adventure,  and  ask  your  help." 

The  man  took  up  the  tankard,  looked  into  its  emptiness, 
and  put  it  down  again.  Then  he  turned  round  suddenly: 

"Some  time  since  I  was  offered  higher  pay  to  serve 
another  master,  Captain."  - 

"Why  didn't  you  go?" 

"I'm  beginning  to  think  I  was  a  fool,  since  you  trust 
me  so  little,"  Stefan  answered;  "but  I  may  yet  prove  a 
better  comrade  in  a  tight  place  than  many.  Good-night." 

A  soldier,  one  of  his  own  troop  of  Horse,  Stefan  had 
drifted  into  Ellerey's  service,  perhaps  because  he  was  a 
lonely  man  like  his  master.  He  appeared  to  have  no 
ties  whatever,  nor  wanted  any,  and  declared  that  the 
first  man  he  met  in  the  street  who  was  old  enough  might 
be  his  father,  for  anything  he  knew  to  the  contrary.  His 
mother,  he  knew,  had  died  bringing  him  into  the  world; 
a  wasted  sacrifice,  he  called  it,  since  the  world  could  have 
done  very  well  without  him  and  he  without  it.  Being  in 


40  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

it,  he  took  all  the  good  he  could  find,  and  if  he  held  his 
own  life  cheaply,  he  was  even  less  interested  in  the  lives 
of  others.  Women  he  hated,  and  his  good  opinion  could 
be  purchased  by  a  man  for  a  brimming  tankard,  and  lasted, 
as  a  rule,  so  long  as  any  liquor  remained. 

It  was  hardly  wonderful  that  Ellerey  should  not  trust 
such  a  man  with  any  secret  of  his.  Yet  the  soldier's 
parting  words,  and  the  look  on  his  face  as  he  spoke,  made 
him  thoughtful. 

"I  shall  want  at  least  one  stout  companion  on  whom 
I  can  rely,"  he  mused.  "I  might  choose  a  worse  man 
than  Stefan." 

He  spoke  of  his  adventure  to  no  one  else.  He  did 
not  even  attempt  to  locate  the  house  into  which  he  had 
been  decoyed.  To  show  too  much  interest  in  the  affair 
would  only  be  to  attract  attention  to  himself  and  his 
movements,  which  was  undesirable,  whether  it  were  her 
Majesty  who  had  taken  occasion  to  test  his  courage,  or 
others  who,  knowing  the  Queen's  schemes,  sought  to 
defeat  them.  One  thing  appeared  certain.  Some  token 
was  to  come  into  his  possession,  and  was  to  bring  peril 
with  it. 

On  the  second  evening,  Ellerey  accompanied  Mon- 
sieur De  Froilette  to  Court. 

"You  are  prepared  to  be  frivolous,  monsieur,  as  her 
Majesty  wishes  ?  "  said  De  Froilette,  as  they  went.  "  You 
will  find  it  tolerably  easy,  but,  pardon  the  advice,  make 
few  friends;  they  are  a  danger  to  one  with  a  secret  mis- 
sion." 

"  Do  you  speak  of  men,  monsieur,  or  women  ? "  El- 
lerey asked. 

"I  spoke  generally,  but  perhaps  I  was  thinking  of 
women,"  was  the  answer.  "Of  one  man,  however, 
beware.  There  is  a  little,  ferret-eyed  devil  at  Court  who 


THE  COURT  OF  STURATZBERG  41 

can  spy  out  secrets  almost  before  they  are  conceived — 
the  English  Ambassador,  Lord  Cloverton.  He  is  a  great 
man,  and  I  hate  him." 

Ellerey  had  no  time  to  ask  questions,  for  the  carriage 
stopped,  and  the  next  moment  he  was  following  De 
Froilette  up  the  wide  staircase  which  many  people,  men 
and  women,  were  ascending.  His  companion  spoke  to 
no  one  as  he  went  up,  nor  did  anyone  address  him.  To 
the  casual  observer,  he  might  have  passed  for  an  unim- 
portant personage  in  that  gay  throng,  but  Ellerey,  who 
had  every  reason  to  be  interested  in  the  Frenchman, 
noticed  that  many  people  turned  to  look  after  him,  whisper- 
ing together  when  he  had  passed.  Ellerey  himself  attract- 
ed some  little  attention,  due,  he  imagined,  to  the  fact 
that  he  was  in  De  Froilette's  company,  until  he  chanced 
to  be  left  alone  for  a  few  moments  at  the  head  of  the  grand 
staircase.  Some  half-dozen  paces  from  him  four  men 
were  engaged  in  earnest  conversation.  From  their  po- 
sition they  could  scrutinize  every  one  who  ascended  the 
stairs  or  crossed  the  vestibule,  and  it  seemed  to  Ellerey 
they  were  there  of  set  purpose;  more,  that  his  arrival 
had  been  expected  and  waited  for.  One  of  the  four  was 
a  man  of  about  his  own  age,  richly  dressed,  and  of  dis- 
tinguished bearing.  He  appeared  chief  among  his 
companions,  who  addressed  him  with  a  certain  deference, 
and  followed  his  movements,  so  that  when  he  turned  to 
look  at  the  newcomer,  Ellerey  found  himself  the  focus  of 
four  pairs  of  eyes.  He  met  their  searching  looks  with 
equal  inquiry,  but  experienced  a  certain  attraction  tow- 
ard the  man  who  led  the  scrutiny.  He  might  be  an 
enemy,  but  he  looked  as  though  he  would  prove  an  honest 
and  open  one,  incapable  of  anything  mean  or  underhand. 
Presently  he  made  some  remark  to  his  companions,  who 
nodded  acquiescence,  and  then  they  separated,  and  were 


42  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

lost  in  the  crowd  crossing  the  vestibule,  just  as  De  Froilette 
returned. 

"Pardon  me  for  leaving  you,  monsieur;  shall  we 
seek  her  Majesty  ?  " 

Ellerey  passed  with  the  Frenchman  into  a  magnificent 
room,  brilliantly  lighted  from  a  domed  roof,  one  of  a  suite 
of  rooms  which  were  all  of  splendid  proportions.  From 
the  distance  came  soft,  dreamy  music,  hushed  in  the 
murmur  of  voices.  There  were  a  great  many  people 
present,  and  dancing  had  commenced  in  the  ball-room. 
It  was  a  brave  assembly,  men  wearing  brilliant  uniforms 
and  the  decorations  of  every  nation  in  Europe,  and  women 
beautiful  in  themselves,  glorious  in  sheen  of  satin,  rustle 
of  silk,  and  flash  of  jewels.  Women's  light  laughter 
answered  men's  jests — on  every  side  were  gayety  and  care- 
less acceptance  of  the  pleasures  of  the  passing  hour.  It 
was  difficult  to  believe  that  under  it  all  lay  deceit  and 
treachery.  Ellerey  was  inclined  to  doubt  it,  as  he  followed 
his  companion. 

In  one  of  the  rooms,  surrounded  by  a  group  of  men 
and  women,  with  whom  she  turned  to  speak  and  laugh 
between  the  welcome  she  extended  to  each  new  arrival, 
sat  her  Majesty.  She  was  even  more  beautiful  to-night 
than  when  she  had  come  to  the  Altstrasse,  and,  surrounded 
as  she  was  by  beautiful  women,  seemed  to  hold  by  right 
the  central  position  of  the  group.  Jewels  glistened  at 
her  throat  and  in  her  hair,  and  across  her  breast  she  wore 
the  scarlet  ribbon  of  the  Golden  Lion  of  Sturatzberg. 

"Ah,  Monsieur  De  Froilette,  you  are  welcome,"  she 
said.  "I  was  just  saying  that  your  countrywomen  are 
the  most  accomplished,  the  most  fascinating,  in  Europe, 
and  Count  von  Heinnen  laughs  at  my  opinion." 

"Your  Majesty  will  not  understand,"  said  Von  Hein- 
nen, in  guttural  tones  which  ill  agreed  with  a  compliment ; 


THE  COURT  OF  STURATZBERG  43 

"I  loved  the  women  of  France  until  I  arrived  in  Sturatz- 
berg." 

"  I  would  narrow  the  Count's  limit,  and  say  the  palace 
of  Sturatzberg,"  said  De  Froilette,  bending  over  the 
Queen's  hand. 

"No  word  for  the  women  of  their  own  country," 
laughed  the  Queen.  "Are  we  so  unpatriotic,  Baron 
Petrescu  ? "  and  she  turned  to  a  man  who  was  standing 
close  behind  her. 

"I  fear  so,  your  Majesty.  I  have  been  in  England, 
and,  for  my  part,  I  think  the  English  women  are  the 
most  beautiful  in  the  world." 

Baron  Petrescu  was  the  man  who  had  looked  so 
searchingly  at  Ellerey  in  the  vestibule.  He  looked  at 
him  now,  as  though  his  answer  had  some  reference  to 
him ;  and  the  Queen,  who  did  not  seem  too  pleased  with 
the  frankly  spoken  answer,  following  the  direction  of 
the  Baron's  glance,  let  her  eyes  rest  on  Ellerey  for  the 
first  time. 

"  Captain  Ellerey,  you,  too,  are  welcome,"  she  said. 
"You  come  but  seldom  to  Court.  As  an  Englishman, 
you  will  doubtless  support  the  Baron's  opinion." 

"  I  find  something  to  contemplate  in  all  women,  your 
Majesty,  but,  as  yet,  I  have  placed  none  above  all  others." 

"That  confession  should  fire  feminine  ambition  in 
Sturatzberg,"  laughed  the  Queen.  "Spread  the  report 
of  it,  Monsieur  De  Froilette,  and  we  shall  witness  excel- 
lent comedy,  or  tragedy — I  hardly  know  which  love  may 
be.  Oh,  you  are  doubly  welcome,  Captain  Ellerey,  for 
the  sport  you  shall  give  us,  and  we  will  ask  for  a  repeti- 
tion of  that  confession  constantly.  The  first  time  you 
look  down  before  our  questioning  eyes,  and  stammer  in 
your  answer,  we  shall  know  that  love  has  laid  siege  to 
the  citadel  of  indifference,  and  captured  it." 


44  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

Ellerey  smiled,  as  he  moved  aside  to  make  room  for 
others.  He  would  have  approached  Baron  Petrescu  had 
he  been  able  to  do  so,  but  he  was  prevented ;  first,  because 
someone  who  knew  him  slightly  spoke  to  him,  and, 
secondly,  by  a  general  movement  in  the  room  occasioned 
by  the  King's  entrance. 

When  the  history  of  Ferdinand  IV.  comes  to  be  writ- 
ten, the  King  will  probably  have  as  many  characters  as 
he  has  biographers.  The  character  given  him  will  so 
entirely  depend  upon  the  point  of  view.  As  he  walked 
slowly  across  the  room,  his  manner  was  not  without 
dignity,  but  had  little  graciousness  in  it.  There  were  a 
few  who  feared  him;  many  who  despised  him;  some 
who  hated  him;  and  from  east  to  west  of  his  kingdom  it 
is  doubtful  whether  a  dozen  loved  or  admired  him.  In 
appearance  he  was  cadaverous-looking,  tall  and  thin, 
with  a  stoop  in  his  shoulders.  His  skin  was  parchment- 
colored,  and  his  eyes  heavy  and  slow  of  movement. 
Europe's  plaything,  a  witty  Frenchman  had  once  called 
him;  but  those  about  him  found  it  hard  work  often  to 
make  him  dance  to  their  piping.  Perhaps  no  one  under- 
stood him  better,  or  had  greater  influence  with  him,  than 
the  man  who  now  walked  a  pace  or  two  behind  him,  and 
was  so  small  that,  beside  the  King,  he  looked  almost 
ridiculous.  His  mincing  gait,  and  his  apparently  nervous 
deference  to  everyone  about  him,  would  have  amused 
those  who  did  not  know  the  man,  or  until  they  had  made 
a  more  careful  study  of  his  face.  Nature  seemed  to  have 
tried  her  hand  at  a  caricature,  and  had  placed  upon  this 
diminutive  body  a  leonine  head.  The  face  was  a  net- 
work of  lines,  as  though  wind,  rain,  and  sunshine  had 
worked  their  will  upon  it  for  years.  The  hair  was  white 
as  driven  snow,  and  thick,  shaggy,  and  long,  while,  set 
deeply  under  heavy  brows,  his  small  eyes  were  never 


THE  COURT  OF  STURATZBERG  45 

still.  For  a  fraction  of  time  they  seemed  to  rest  on  every- 
one in  turn,  and  to  note  something  about  them  which 
would  be  stored  up  in  the  memory. 

"  A  ferret-eyed  devil,  monsieur,  is  it  not  so  ?  "  whis- 
pered De  Froilette  in  Ellerey's  ear  after  the  Ambassador 
had  passed.  "He  has  already  noted  your  presence,  and 
will  know  all  about  you  before  he  sleeps — if  he  ever  does 
sleep.  We  must  be  very  frivolous  to  escape  detection." 

To  be  frivolous  at  the  Court  of  Sturatzberg  was  no 
difficult  matter.  Whether  it  was  the  report  of  what  he 
had  said  to  the  Queen  had  made  him  especially  interest- 
ing to  women,  or  whether  those  steady  blue  eyes  of  his 
were  the  attraction,  Ellerey  found  it  easy  to  make  friends. 
He  studied  to  catch  the  trick  of  pleasing  with  a  light  com- 
pliment or  pleasant  jest,  and  before  many  days  had  gone 
had  earned  a  reputation  as  an  irresponsible  cavalier;  one 
whom  it  would  be  dangerous  to  take  too  seriously  or 
believe  in  too  thoroughly.  Such  a  man  was,  for  the  most 
part,  after  the  heart  of  the  feminine  portion  of  the  Sturatz- 
berg Court,  and  that  he  played  the  part  well  the  Queen's 
smile  constantly  assured  him.  In  one  point,  however, 
Ellerey  was  peculiarly  unsuccessful.  He  had  been  attracted 
to  Baron  Petrescu,  and  went  to  some  trouble  to  become 
acquainted  with  him,  but  to  no  purpose.  Either  the 
Baron  avoided  him  intentionally,  or  a  train  of  adverse 
circumstances  intervened.  Not  a  single  word  passed 
between  them. 

On  several  occasions  the  Queen  made  Ellerey  repeat 
his  confession,  and  he  did  so  with  a  smile  upon  his  lips. 

"I  expected  downcast  eyes  and  a  stammering  tongue 
to-night,"  she  said  one  evening,  and  as  Ellerey  looked 
at  her,  she  glanced  swiftly  across  the  room  toward  a 
small  group,  of  which  a  woman  was  the  centre — a  beautiful 
woman,  with  a  silvery  laugh  which  had  the  spirit  and 


46  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

joy  of  youth  in  it.  By  common  consent,  her  beauty  had 
no  rival  in  the  Court  of  Sturatzberg.  Men  whose  tastes 
on  all  else  were  as  wide  asunder  as  the  poles  were  at  one 
in  praise  of  her,  and  even  women  were  content  to  let  her 
reign  supreme.  Her  dark  eyes,  fringed  with  long  lashes, 
were,  perhaps,  the  most  perfect  feature  of  a  perfect  face. 
They  could  persuade,  they  could  reprove,  and  it  was  dan- 
gerous to  look  into  them  too  constantly  if  one  would  not 
be  a  slave.  Her  hair,  which  had  a  wave  in  it,  and  was  rich 
nut-brown  in  color,  was  gathered  in  loose  coils  about  her 
head,  a  veritable  crown  to  her,  and  her  voice  was  low, 
as  if  compelling  you  to  listen  to  some  sweet  secret  it  had 
to  tell,  a  secret  that  was  only  for  you. 

"  I  can  still  make  my  confession,  your  Majesty,"  said 
Ellerey,  wondering  whether  his  words  were  quite  true, 
for  he  had  looked  into  this  woman's  eyes  many  times. 
Then  he  went  toward  the  group,  quick  to  observe  that 
Baron  Petrescu  left  it  at  his  coming. 

Ellerey  understood  that  the  Queen  must  have  watched 
him  carefully.  To  this  woman  he  had  certainly  paid  more 
attention  than  to  any  other.  She  was  in  close  attendance 
upon  the  Queen,  was  treated  by  her  with  marked  favor, 
and  many  envious  and  angry  glances  had  been  cast  upon 
Ellerey,  because  she  seemed  to  find  pleasure  in  being  with 
him.  Ellerey  could  not  deny  that  the  time  spent  in  her 
company  sped  faster  than  all  other  hours,  but  he  had  an- 
other reason  for  seeking  her  so  persistently.  He  had  seen 
little  of  the  face  of  the  woman  who  had  cried  to  him  for 
help  that  night  at  the  corner  of  the  Altstrasse,  being  more 
concerned  with  what  was  required  of  him  than  with  her 
who  petitioned,  but  somehow  this  woman  always  reminded 
him  of  that  night.  Whenever  she  walked  beside  him, 
he  recalled  that  other  woman  who  had  run  hand-in-hand 
with  him  through  the  deserted  streets.  Was  she  the 


THE  COURT  OF  STURATZBERG  47 

woman,  or,  at  least,  was  she  aware  of  what  had  occurred 
that  night  ?  Why  had  she  so  easily  given  him  her  friend- 
ship ?  Why  should  she  so  obviously  prefer  his  company 
to  that  of  others  ?  There  was  some  reason,  and  yet  she 
had  made  no  confession,  had  stepped  into  none  of  his 
carefully  prepared  traps.  Did  she  know  Maritza  ?  Were 
those  Maritza's  eyes  which  had  looked  through  the  silken 
mask? 

"  You  will  dance  with  me,  Countess  ?  " 

She  placed  her  hand  upon  his  arm  at  once. 

"You  are  ever  generous  to  me,"  he  said,  as  they  went 
toward  the  ball-room.  "I  wonder  why?" 

She  looked  up  at  him.  He  might  have  been  laughed 
at  for  not  understanding  such  a  look. 

"A  Captain  of  Horse  is  a  small  person  in  Sturatz- 
berg,"  he  said  carelessly. 

"Even  if  he  is  honored  with  her  Majesty's  friend- 
ship ?  "  she  asked. 

"Is  he?" 

"  Well,  are  you  not  ?  I  can  judge  by  what  I  see,  and 
you  seem  welcome  always." 

"  I  have  noticed  that,  Countess,  and  have  thought 
sometimes  that  you  might  tell  me  the  reason." 

"  Of  her  Majesty's  welcome,  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Of  her  welcome,  and  of  your  own  kindness  to  me," 
Ellerey  answered. 

The  woman  laughed. 

"I  think  Englishmen  are  slow  of  comprehension," 
she  said. 

"  But  a  Captain  of  Horse,  Countess  ?  " 

"Who  may  be  of  much  higher  rank  to-morrow,  and 
in  his  own  country  may  be —  Ah!  you  know,  so  many 
come  to  Sturatzberg." 

"  Many  vagabonds,  Countess." 


48  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"Oh,  yes,  and  others,"  and  then  she  made  a  gesture 
that  they  should  dance,  and  they  floated  gracefully  out 
among  the  couples  gliding  over  the  floor  of  the  ball- 
room to  the  strains  of  a  sensuous  German  waltz.  El- 
lerey  danced  well.  He  had  earned  the  reputation  in  many 
a  London  ball-room,  and  the  Countess  Frina  danced  as  few 
English  women  can,  with  the  soul  of  the  music  in  her  feet. 

"Those  others  are  sometimes  difficult  to  distinguish," 
Ellerey  said  presently. 

"Not  to  a  woman,"  was  the  answer.  "She  has  an 
intuition  which  is  denied  to  most  men.  Indeed,  I  only 
know  one  man  who  has  it  in  the  fullest  sense,  in  greater 
measure  even  than  most  women,  and  he  is  an  English- 
man, curiously  enough.  Yonder!" 

With  a  touch  she  directed  Ellerey's  attention  to  one 
side  of  the  room,  where  Lord  Cloverton  was  standing 
talking  to  two  men.  He  seemed  to  be  interested  in  the 
conversation,  but  at  the  same  time  took  notice  of  every 
couple  which  glided  by  him.  Ellerey  thought  the  Am- 
bassador's eyes  rested  upon  him  for  a  moment,  although 
he  did  not  go  near  him. 

"He,  too,  has  noted  you,"  the  Countess  whispered, 
"  and  if  you  have  aught  to  conceal,  Captain  Ellerey,  take 
care  that  the  secret  be  well  buried,  or  those  small  eyes  will 
spy  it  out." 

"You  do  not  like  the  Ambassador?"  said  Ellerey,  as 
he  guided  his  partner  to  a  deserted  seat  in  an  alcove. 

"I  admire  him.  It  is  not  the  same  thing,  but  admira- 
tion I  cannot  help.  There  would  have  been  desperate 
work  for  you  soldiers  long  since  had  it  not  been  for  Lord 
Cloverton." 

"  And  that  would  have  pleased  you  ?  " 

"  It  would  have  given  my  friends  a  chance  of  distinc- 
tion," she  answered. 


THE  COURT  OF  STURATZBERG  49 

"And  turned  some  friends  into  enemies,  Countess. 
Surely  you  must  know  that.  There  are  such  conflicting 
interests  in  Sturatzberg." 

"I  have  taken  great  care  in  choosing  my  friends," 
she  answered. 

"Ah,  then,  you  have  a  very  definite  idea  to  which 
interest  you  are  attached." 

"  Of  course." 

"And  which  is  it?"  he  asked  in  a  whisper,  leaning 
toward  her. 

"  The  same  as  monsieur's,"  she  said. 

Ellerey  was  baffled.  He  had  expected  to  surprise 
her  into  a  confession.  He  did  not  suppose  he  had  sub- 
jugated this  woman  so  completely  that  she  would  make 
her  interests  identical  with  his  own,  and  he  could  only 
explain  her  answer  by  presuming  that  she  was  sufficiently 
in  the  Queen's  confidence  to  know  something  of  the  mis- 
sion to  which  he  stood  pledged. 

"You  seem  very  certain  of  me,  Countess." 

"  Have  I  not  said  that  I  take  great  care  in  choosing  my 
friends?" 

"I  cannot  conceive  any  reason  for  your  faith  in  me, 
unless " 

"  Well,  you  may  question  me." 

"  I  had  lately  a  strange  adventure,  Countess,  in  which 
a  woman  was  concerned.  She  found  me  after  midnight  at 
the  corner  of  the  Altstrasse,  and " 

"  Monsieur!  monsieur! "  she  exclaimed,  holding  up  her 
hand.  "  Do  you  imagine  I  should  visit  the  Altstrasse  for 
my  politics,  and  after  midnight,  too  ?  " 

"  I  confess  that  was  in  my  mind." 

"  It  pleases  you  to  jest,  Captain  Ellerey,  and  I  am  in  no 
mood  for  such  jesting." 

She  rose,  and  he  was  forced  to  take  her  from  the  ball- 
4 


50  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

room.  He  had  succeeded  in  making  her  angry,  and  had 
gained  nothing.  He  had  been  ill-advised  to  question  her. 

"  You  must  pardon  me,"  he  said. 

"  You  must  earn  your  pardon,  monsieur,"  was  her  an- 
swer, as  she  turned  away  with  another  partner  who  had 
approached,  leaving  Ellerey  perplexed. 

"A  love  quarrel,  monsieur?  I  have  noted  several; 
they  are  frequent  here." 

At  the  slight  touch  on  his  arm  Ellerey  turned  to  face 
Lord  Cloverton. 

" Hardly  a  quarrel,  my  lord;  certainly  not  a  love  one," 
he  said. 

"  I  was  mistaken  then,  or  you  think  so,  Captain  Ellerey. 
Love  is  a  curious  disease  at  all  times,  and  in  all  places,  diffi- 
cult to  diagnose  sometimes.  In  the  Court  of  Sturatzberg 
one  has  ample  opportunity  of  studying  it.  I  may  be  right 
after  all,  Captain  Ellerey.  I  have  more  knowledge  of  this 
Court  than  you  have ;  I  have  spent  a  longer  time  in  it." 

Lord  Cloverton  moved  forward  smiling,  evidently  ex- 
pecting Ellerey  to  walk  beside  him  across  the  room. 

"  I  endeavor  to  fit  myself  to  my  surroundings,"  Ellerey 
said,  as  he  walked  slowly  by  the  Ambassador's  side,  striv- 
ing in  vain  to  accommodate  his  step  to  the  mincing  gait 
of  his  companion. 

"  Quite  so,  but  it  is  hardly  the  best  atmosphere  for  a 
young  man  to  develop  himself  in." 

"Perhaps  not." 

"  You  interest  me,  Captain  Ellerey." 

"  Since  when,  my  lord  ?  " 

The  small,  deep-set  eyes  were  turned  upon  him  for  a 
moment,  as  though  to  gauge  the  full  meaning  of  the  ques- 
tion, and  they  looked  into  steady  blue  eyes,  which,  perhaps, 
made  Lord  Cloverton  more  interested  than  ever,  although 
he  did  not  say  so. 


THE  COURT  OF  STURATZBERG  51 

"  You  are  thinking  that  I  might  have  taken  notice  of  a 
countryman  before  this,"  he  replied.  "Well,  perhaps 
there  is  something  in  the  thought.  Still,  you  were  not 
brought  to  my  notice  at  the  Embassy.  I  heard  no  mention 
of  Desmond  Ellerey  as  a  friend  of  anyone  connected  with 
the  Embassy,  nor,  indeed,  any  remark  that  an  English  offi- 
cer was  serving  his  Majesty  the  King  of  Wallaria." 

"  No,  my  lord,  my  friendships  are  few,  and,  in  truth,  I 
have  no  great  desire  to  increase  the  number." 

"  I  might,  indeed,  repeat  your  question — since  when  ?" 
laughed  Lord  Cloverton,  "  for  lately  surely  you  have  made 
many  new  acquaintances,  and  move  in  the  sunshine  of 
Royal  favor." 

"  I  am  afraid  I  have  not  been  conscious  of  the  fact," 
Ellerey  returned.  "I  must  be  more  careful  to  study  his 
Majesty." 

"  I  was  speaking  of  the  Queen." 

Ellerey  looked  at  Lord  Cloverton  in  astonishment. 

"Indeed,  I  think  you  are  mistaken.  Her  Majesty  is 
very  gracious  to  all.  I  do  not  think  she  has  been  especially 
so  to  me." 

"  Another  mistake  of  mine,"  said  the  Ambassador,  with 
a  smile.  "  I  am  full  of  them  to-night.  They  began  imme- 
diately after  dinner.  I  dropped  two  lumps  of  sugar  into 
my  coffee,  instead  of  one.  It  made  it  abominable,  and  I 
had  to  leave  it.  But  there  is  another  reason  why  I  have 
become  interested  in  you  lately.  I  heard  that  you  were  the 
brother  of  Sir  Ralph  Ellerey.  I  know  Sir  Ralph." 

"We  are  certainly  sons  of  the  same  father;  our  rela- 
tionship has  got  no  further  than  that.  If  you  know  my 
brother  well  enough  to  accept  his  opinion  about  me,  you 
have,  doubtless,  accorded  me  a  very  low  place  in  your  esti- 
mation." 

"  I  am  supposed  never  to  accept  another  man's  opinion 


52  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

about  anything,"  the  Ambassador  replied;  "certainly,  I 
seldom  do  in  judging  men  I  come  in  contact  with.  Sir 
Ralph,  however,  gives  some  prominence  to  the  name  of 
Ellerey,  and  his  brother  can  hardly  hope  to  pass  through 
the  world  unnoticed." 

"I  am  succeeding  beyond  my  expectations,"  said 
Ellerey. 

"Are  you?" 

"  Believe  me,  my  lord,  I  am." 

They  were  standing  apart  in  a  corner  of  one  of  the 
rooms.  There  was  no  one  near  enough  to  overhear  their 
conversation.  Lord  Cloverton  glanced  over  his  shoulder 
to  make  sure  of  this  before  he  went  on  quietly : 

"  I  have  heard  that  Desmond  Ellerey  was  obliged  to 
leave  a  crack  cavalry  regiment  on  account  of  his  cheating 
at  cards  and  for  other  dishonorable  practices.  I  took  you 
to  be  this  same  Desmond  Ellerey." 

"Yet  another  mistake  to-night,  my  lord,"  Ellerey  an- 
swered, looking  the  Ambassador  unflinchingly  in  the  eye. 
"  The  Desmond  Ellerey  you  speak  of  was  an  unfortunate 
English  gentleman  and  honorable  soldier,  whose  services 
his  King  and  country  had  no  further  need  of.  He  was 
foully  murdered  by  a  lie.  The  Desmond  Ellerey  who  has 
the  honor  to  speak  to  you  is  a  Captain  of  Horse  in  the  ser- 
vice of  his  Majesty  Ferdinand  IV.  of  Wallaria,  and  looks 
for  favor  and  reward  only  from  the  King  and  country  he 
serves." 

He  turned  on  his  heel  as  he  spoke,  and  the  Ambassador 
stood  looking  after  him  until  his  figure  was  lost  in  the  mov- 
ing crowd, 


CHAPTER  V. 

TWO    VISITORS 

LORD  CLOVERTON  sat  in  his  private  room  at  the  Embassy, 
a  knitted  brow  and  tightly-closed  lips  showing  that  he  was 
deeply  occupied  in  a  problem  which  either  baffled  him  alto- 
gether, or  which,  having  been  solved,  gave  him  considerable 
anxiety.  He  had  pushed  his  chair  back  from  the  table,  and 
his  attention  was  concentrated  on  the  papers  he  held  in  his 
hand.  They  had  come  during  the  past  few  days,  and  al- 
though he  had  read  each  one  carefully  on  its  arrival,  he  had 
put  them  aside  until  he  could  study  them  together.  They 
were  all  before  him  now,  and  he  had  spent  the  greater  part 
of  the  morning  reading  them,  and  in  piecing  together  the 
information  they  contained  into  one  complete  and  intelli- 
gible story.  It  was  not  an  easy  task,  and  the  result  he 
arrived  at  gave  him  little  satisfaction. 

"  This  pestilential  fellow  will  make  trouble  for  us,"  he 
said  to  himself,  and  then  he  went  systematically  through 
the  letters  again. 

"Absolutely  no  doubt  of  his  guilt,"  he  read  slowly 
from  one  of  them.  "  He  denied  everything,  of  course,  but 
the  evidence  was  exceedingly  strong  against  him.  That  he 
accepted  the  verdict  and  disappeared  in  the  manner  he  did, 
would  seem  to  confirm  the  truth.  That  is  what  I  cannot 
understand,"  said  the  Ambassador,  arguing  the  point  to 
the  empty  room.  "  Why  did  he  accept  it  and  disappear  ? 
Why  didn't  he  stand  and  face  the  frowning  world  and  beat 


54  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

it  ?  That  is  what  I  should  have  expected  from  such  a  man, 
and  with  such  eyes,  too." 

He  took  up  another  paper. 

"  The  question  can  hardly  be  reopened,  my  lord,  and 
since  it  was  closed  nothing  has  transpired  to  suggest  that 
there  was  any  error  of  justice  in  the  matter.  Of  course  he 
might  bring  an  action  for  slander  in  the  civil  courts,  and  for 
this  purpose  be  persuaded  to  return  to  England. " 

The  Ambassador  shook  his  head;  he  had  not  much 
faith  in  persuasion  in  this  case.  Then  he  turned  to  another 
letter  and  read  one  paragraph  in  it  more  than  once.  It  im- 
pressed him. 

" '  I  feel  convinced  that  Desmond  Ellerey  is  an  innocent 
man.  One  has  such  convictions  without  being  able  to  ex- 
plain them.  That  he  accepted  the  inevitable  I  think  I  can 
understand,  considering  the  weight  of  evidence  against  him ; 
and  although  I  endeavored  to  persuade  him  against  his  de- 
termination to  offer  his  sword  to  another  country,  I  can 
appreciate  his  point  of  view  since  his  career  had  been  ruined 
in  his  own.  If  you  think  any  good  will  come  of  my  writing 
to  him,  making  on  my  own  account  the  suggestion  con- 
tained in  your  letter,  I  will  certainly  do  so,  and  shall,  of 
course,  not  mention  that  I  have  heard  from  you,  or  that  we 
are  known  to  each  other.' "  The  Ambassador  looked  at  the 
signature — " '  Charles  Martin.'  An  excellent  man  to  have 
for  a  friend,  and  I  believe  he  is  right." 

He  turned  over  another  paper  signed  Ralph  Ellerey. 

"  He  does  not  count,"  said  the  Ambassador  with  a  ges- 
ture of  contempt,  and  threw  the  letter  aside  without  troub- 
ling to  read  it  again.  Then  he  rang  a  bell  upon  his  table, 
and  a  man  entered. 

"  Ask  Captain  Ward  to  come  to  me." 

The  Ambassador  was  pacing  the  room  with  little  short 
steps  when  the  Captain  entered. 


TWO  VISITORS  55 

"  Do  you  know  a  Desmond  Ellerey,  who  lodges  by  the 
Western  Gate,  Ward  ?  " 

"  I  know  there  is  such  a  man,  but  I  know  nothing  about 
him." 

"  He  is  likely  to  be  dangerous.  I  want  you  to  keep  an 
eye  upon  his  movements.  He  is  friendly  with  Monsieur 
De  Froilette,  and  is  in  her  Majesty's  favor.  I  do  not  want 
you  to  make  Ellerey's  acquaintance.  I  don't  want  him  to 
know  who  you  are,  for  the  present  at  any  rate." 

"  I  understand." 

"  I  should  be  glad  to  see  him  turn  his  back  upon  Wal- 
laria;  failing  that,  I  am  uncharitable  enough  to  hope  he 
may  meet  with  an  accident,"  said  Lord  Cloverton. 

"  That  might  be  arranged,"  was  the  answer. 

"  Sturatzberg  is  having  a  bad  effect  upon  your  moral 
sense.  At  least  we  will  try  persuasion  first,"  and  it  was 
difficult  to  tell  from  the  Ambassador's  smiling  face  whether 
a  sinister  thought  had  entered  his  head  or  not.  After  a 
moment's  pause  he  added :  "  Will  you  also  have  a  telegram 
sent  to  Sir  Charles  Martin  ?  Just  say, '  Please  write,  Clo- 
verton.' He  will  understand." 

The  extent  of  the  Ambassador's  interest  in  him  would 
have  surprised  Ellerey  considerably  had  he  known  of  it. 
After  his  interview  with  Lord  Cloverton  be  had  half-ex- 
pected that  he  would  seek  to  question  him  further,  or,  if  he 
had  any  reason  to  suppose  he  was  in  his  way,  might  bring 
pressure  to  bear  upon  the  King  to  dismiss  him  from  the 
army.  He  certainly  did  not  do  the  one,  and  Ellerey  had 
no  reason  to  think  he  had  attempted  to  do  the  other.  At 
Court  the  Ambassador  had  bowed  slightly  as  he  passed 
him,  and  the  flicker  of  a  smile  had  been  on  his  face  for  a 
moment  when  he  saw  him  crossing  the  room  with  Countess 
Mavrodin,  almost  as  though  he  wished  him  to  remember 
what  he  had  said  about  a  lovers'  quarrel.  Ellerey  had 


56  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

made  his  peace  with  the  Countess  as  speedily  as  possible. 
He  was  likely  to  make  so  many  enemies  that  he  could  not 
afford  to  lose  a  friend,  and  he  felt  that  this  woman  was  a 
friend.  He  had  duly  humbled  himself  and  had  been  for- 
given, and  even  when  she  questioned  him  about  his  advent- 
ure in  the  Altstrasse,  he  refused  to  speak  of  it  lest  he  should 
again  offend.  He  succeeded,  as  he  hoped  to  do,  in  raising 
her  curiosity. 

"  But  if  this  woman  so  resembled  me,  surely  it  would 
be  a  satisfaction  to  me  to  know  something  more  about  her," 
she  said. 

"  It  was  dark,  Countess,  but  she  seemed  to  be  pretty. 
That  misled  me  perhaps.  I  was  foolish  to  imagine  for  a 
moment  that  it  could  have  been  you." 

Ellerey  knew  that  such  an  explanation  would  not  con- 
tent her.  Would  it  satisfy  any  woman  ?  He  had  only  to 
wait  and  she  would  ply  him  with  further  questions,  and,  if 
she  were  not  the  woman,  would  not  rest  until  she  had  dis- 
covered who  the  other  woman  was.  She  would  probably 
help  him  to  some  explanation  of  his  adventure  in  the  long 
run,  her  curiosity  leading  her  to  play  the  part  of  a  useful 
ally. 

The  days  passed  and  no  message  came  from  the  Queen, 
neither  did  he  see  nor  hear  anything  of  De  Froilette.  The 
Frenchman  was  not  at  Court,  and  Ellerey  did  not  meet  him 
in  the  streets  of  Sturatzberg.  He  did  not  go  to  visit  him  in 
the  Altstrasse ;  it  had  been  agreed  that  he  should  not  do  so. 

After  consideration  Ellerey  had  taken  Stefan  into  his 
confidence.  He  believed  the  rough  soldier  had  some  affec- 
tion for  him,  so  had  told  him  something  of  his  adventure  in 
thet  Altstrasse,  and  of  the  mysterious  mission  he  might  be 
called  upon  at  any  moment  to  perform.  Such  men  as  Elle- 
rey wished  to  enlist  in  the  enterprise  were  not  easy  to  find. 
There  were  plenty  of  adventurous  spirits  ready  for  any 


TWO  VISITORS  57 

service  so  they  were  well  paid,  but  such  men  were  quite 
likely  to  desert  him  at  the  critical  moment  if  they  saw  any 
benefit  to  themselves  in  doing  so. 

"  Now,  Stefan,  can  we  find  the  men  we  want  ?  "  Ellerey 
asked. 

"  A  dozen  of  them  ?  "  queried  the  soldier,  thoughtfully. 
"  Twelve  trusty  comrades  ?  It's  a  large  order  in  a  world 
where  it's  safest  to  trust  nobody." 

"  There  is  adventure,  there  is  good  pay,  two  attractions 
to  the  soldier  of  fortune." 

"  Yes,  Captain ;  but  the  soldier  of  fortune  in  Sturatzberg 
is  a  scurvy  sort  of  rascal.  He's  not  over  fond  of  his  trade 
when  there's  any  danger  in  it.  But  I'll  sound  one  or  two  I 
know  of,  and  you  can  see  what  you  think  of  them.  And 
mark  this,  Captain,  don't  pay  them  too  much  until  they've 
earned  it.  A  few  coins  to  oil  their  courage  is  enough  to 
begin  with." 

The  choosing  of  the  men  became  Stefan's  work,  but 
only  half  a  dozen  had  been  determined  on  when  Ellerey 
received  an  unexpected  letter  from  Sir  Charles  Martin. 

It  was  a  pleasant  letter  of  friendship,  such  a  letter  as 
brings  forcibly  to  the  senses  of  the  mind  the  sunlight  and 
shadow  dappling  an  English  lane,  and  the  familiar  sounds 
and  refreshing  fragrances  which  linger  about  an  English 
home.  Toward  the  end  Sir  Charles  turned  to  a  painful 
subject,  but  wrote  hopefully.  "  Let  me  urge  you,"  he  said, 
"  to  return  home.  I  am  convinced  that  the  time  has  come 
for  you  to  begin  to  slowly  prove  that  you  are  innocent. 
While  the  affair  was  fresh  in  people's  minds  you  were  at  a 
disadvantage,  but  that  time  is  past.  One  thing  I  may  tell 
you.  A  person  very  highly  placed  has  expressed  his  com- 
plete belief  in  you.  Come  home,  Desmond." 

Ellerey  was  musing  over  this  letter  and  the  remembrance 
it  brought  with  it,  when  Stefan  entered. 


58  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  A  gentleman  to  see  you,  Captain." 

Ellerey  rose  hastily.  The  one  or  two  brother  officers 
who  visited  him  stood  on  no  such  ceremony  as  this.  He 
bowed  in  silence  as  Lord  Cloverton  came  in.  Neither  of 
them  spoke  until  Stefan  had  closed  the  door. 

"  You  will  pardon  the  intrusion,  Captain  Ellerey." 

"I  am  honored,  my  lord,"  said  Ellerey  as  he  placed  a 
chair  for  his  visitor. 

"  I  am  still  interested  in  you,  you  see,"  said  the  Ambas- 
sador, "  but  have  not  considered  it  wise  to  draw  attention  to 
ourselves  at  Court.  A  man  in  my  position  labors  under  a 
disadvantage  of  never  being  supposed  to  speak  a  word  that 
has  not  weighty  matter  behind  it.  Some  people  will  find 
a  mystery  in  my  simple  utterance  of  '  Good-evening.'  You 
and  I  are  both  Englishmen,  and  to  be  seen  often  in  intimate 
conversation  would  start  a  small  army  of  rumors  on  the 
march." 

Ellerey  bowed.  He  intended  to  let  the  Ambassador 
lead  the  conversation. 

"  Do  you  mind  looking  at  me,  Captain  Ellerey  ?  " 

Ellerey  did  so,  and  for  the  space  of  thirty  seconds 
the  two  men  gazed  into  each  other's  eyes. 

"No,  I  do  not  believe  it." 

"  To  what  do  you  refer  ?  "  Ellerey  asked. 

"To  that  card  scandal  of  yours.  I  believe  you  are 
an  innocent  man.  Why  don't  you  prove  it  ?  " 

Ellerey  took  up  the  letter  which  Tie  had  thrown  on 
the  table  when  Lord  Cloverton  entered. 

"  Do  you  know  Sir  Charles  Martin  ?  "  he  asked,  hold- 
ing the  letter  out  to  him. 

"I  have  heard  of  him.  Who  that  is  interested  in 
English  politics  has  not?  I  may  live  to  see  him  Prime 
Minister.  What,  do  you  wish  me  to  read  this  ?  " 

"If  you  please." 


TWO  VISITORS  59 

Lord  Cloverton  read  the  letter  through. 

"Evidently  an  intimate  friend  of  yours.  You  could 
not  have  a  better  sponsor  for  your  character.  I  think 
he  gives  you  excellent  advice." 

"You  would  give  me  the  same,  Lord  Cloverton  ?" 

"Certainly." 

"Why?" 

"Because  you  are  an  innocent  man.  It  is  your  duty 
to  fight  for  your  character  to  the  last  ditch." 

"Why  should  you  suppose  I  am  not  fighting  for  my 
character  ?  "  Ellerey  asked. 

"  Here  in  Sturatzberg  ?  " 

"Why  not?  Words  will  never  mend  a  broken  rep- 
utation; deeds  may." 

"Deeds  done  here  will  not  count  in  England." 

"And  in  England,  or  for  England,  I  am  debarred 
from  doing  anything.  A  sorry  position,  is  it  not,  my 
lord?" 

"  I  am  advising  you  to  alter  it." 

"  But  you  have  not  told  me  why,"  said  Ellerey.  "  Shall 
I  tell  you  the  reason,  Lord  Cloverton  ?  You  wish  me  to 
leave  Sturatzberg." 

"Why  should  I?" 

"  That  you  must  tell  me." 

"There  is  a  candor  about  you,  Captain  Ellerey,  that 
compels  straightforward  treatment  in  return,  and  you 
shall  have  it.  I  have  a  misgiving  that  your  presence 
here  will  tend  to  hamper  my  work,  and  by  my  work  I 
mean  England's  interests.  I  do  not  pretend  to  know 
exactly  in  what  direction  you  will  hinder  me,  but  I  can 
guess,  and  you  are  too  good  a  man  to  be  crushed  while 
striving  against  your  own  country.  Go  back  to  England. 
I  thoroughly  believe  in  you,  and  you  shall  have  my  hearty 
support  in  your  endeavor  to  establish  your  innocency." 


60  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"You  are  very  good,  my  lord,  and  I  thank  you;  but 
I  regret  that  I  cannot  comply  with  your  wishes.  I  shall 
not  leave  Sturatzberg." 

"  You  prefer  to  be  crushed  ?  " 

"Yes,  in  the  service  of  my  adopted  country.  We 
fight  with  different  weapons,  Lord  Cloverton." 

"  Then  it  is  to  be  war  between  us  ?  " 

"You  seem  to  say  so.     I  cannot  leave  Sturatzberg." 

"  Is  it  not  possible  that  some  sense  of  honor  may  exist 
here,  that  officers  here  may  not  care  to  associate  with  one 
who  has  been  convicted  of  cheating,  even  though  he  be  a 
foreigner  ?  " 

"  I  am  not  afraid  that  Lord  Cloverton  will  spread  such 
a  report  of  me." 

"My  country  stands  first  with  me,  Captain  Ellerey." 

"But  not  to  make  you  dishonorable.  You  are  at-' 
tempting  to  do  yourself  an  injustice.  Besides  if  I  were 
driven  to  use  such  weapons  in  self-defence,  is  it  not  pos- 
sible that  Lord  Cloverton  has  some  enemies  in  Sturatz- 
berg?" 

"  Many,  no  doubt." 

"  I  might  suggest,  for  instance,  that  he  had  secretly 
sought  to  alienate  the  loyalty  of  one  of  his  Majesty's  offi- 
cers." 

"Enough,  Captain  Ellerey,"  said  Lord  Cloverton 
rising.  "I  see  that  we  must  unfortunately  be  enemies. 
It  is  a  pity.  You  will  be  crushed  under  the  Juggernaut 
of  international  politics." 

"It  may  be  so,  it  may  not,"  said  Ellerey.  "Believe 
me,  I  am  not  unmindful  of  your  kindness ;  but  as  I  have 
said,  we  fight  with  different  weapons.  You  wield  the 
power  of  the  politician;  I  have  only  my  sword.  We 
cannot  therefore  meet  in  .hand-to-hand  encounter.  I 
should  hesitate  to  use  my  sword  against  my  countrymen, 


TWO  VISITORS  61 

but  until  British  soldiers  hold  the  heights  above  Sturatz- 
berg  there  is  no  need  to  consider  that  question;  and  your 
work,  I  presume,  lies  in  preventing  any  chance  of  such  a 
contingency.  If  you  could  forget  that  I  am  an  English- 
man, and  remember  only  that  I  am  a  Captain  of  Horse, 
subject  to  the  commands  of  my  superior  officer,  you  would 
understand  my  position  better." 

"  You  are  a  difficult  man  to  deal  with,  but  I  rather 
like  you,"  said  the  Ambassador,  holding  out  his  hand. 
"  I  regret  that  Fate  makes  us  enemies,  and  if  at  the  last 
moment  I  can  save  you  from  being  entirely  crushed,  I  will." 

"Thank  you.  I,  too,  may  find  an  opportunity  of 
rendering  you  a  service,  my  lord." 

As  Lord  Cloverton  went  quickly  away,  a  man  who 
had  been  sitting  at  a  small  table  in  a  cafe  opposite,  who 
had  sipped  two  glasses  of  absinthe  and  smoked  innumer- 
able cigarettes,  rose  hastily  and  crossed  the  street.  His 
dress  was  travel-stained,  and  he  had  evidently  ridden 
through  dirty  weather,  for  his  boots  were  thickly  cased 
with  mud.  Ellerey  was  almost  as  surprised  to  see  De 
Froilette  as  he  had  been  to  see  the  Ambassador. 

"  You  have  been  away  from  Sturatzberg,"  he  said. 

"I  have  only  just  returned,"  De  Froilette  answered, 
throwing  out  his  arms  to  draw  attention  to  his  clothes, 
"  and  before  going  to  the  Altstrasse  came  to  prepare  you. 
I  have  been  waiting  at  the  cafe  opposite  until  Lord 
Cloverton  came  out." 

"  And  wondering  why  he  visited  me  ?  "  asked  Ellerey, 
smiling. 

"  Wondering,  rather,  how  far  you  would  be  successful 
in  deceiving  him." 

"He  was  disposed  to  be  friendly,"  said  Ellerey,  care- 
lessly taking  up  Sir  Charles  Martin's  letter  from  the  table 
and  putting  it  in  his  pocket. 


62  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  Friendly!    A  trick  of  his,  monsieur,  a  trick." 

"Exactly.     We  have  agreed  to  be  enemies." 

"  Ah,  but  that  was  foolish,"  said  De  Froilette  quickly. 
"You  should  have  played  with  him  even  as  I  do.  He 
believes  that  I  am  very  friendly,  while  I  hate  him." 

"That  is  your  method;  it  is  not  mine.  I  am  not  an 
adept  at  crawling,  even  to  the  British  Ambassador." 

"What  does  he  suspect?"  asked  De  Froilette  after 
a  pause,  during  which  he  had  seemed  inclined  to  resent 
Ellerey's  words. 

"  Naturally,  he  did  not  say,  and  I  am  unable  to  guess, 
which  is  hardly  remarkable,  seeing  that  I  am  entirely  in 
the  dark  myself." 

"  But  why  did  he  come  ?  " 

"  He  used  his  knowledge  of  some  friend*  of  mine  in 
England  as  an  excuse  for  visiting  me,  but  he  had  prob- 
ably taken  upon  himself  for  the  time  being  the  office  of 
spy.  As  I  had  no  information  to  give,  he  has  returned 
little  wiser  than  he  came.  When  am  I  to  be  fully  trusted, 
monsieur  ?  " 

"You  are  fully  trusted  now,  Captain  Ellerey,  but  the 
time  for  striking  has  not  arrived.  It  approaches,  how- 
ever. Until  the  man  in  Sturatzberg  was  ready  we  could 
not  proceed.  Look  at  me;  I  have  come  from  a  journey. 
I  have  been  doing  my  part,  and  I  come  to  you  and  say, 
Be  ready.  At  any  moment  her  Majesty  may  send  for 
you." 

"  I  am  waiting,"  said  Ellerey. 

"Not  to-night,  perhaps,  nor  to-morrow,  but  soon." 

Knowing  the  Frenchman's  secretive  method,  Ellerey 
was  convinced  that  the  time  was  at  hand.  Were  it  not, 
De  Froilette  would  hardly  have  risked  seeking  him  at 
his  lodging;  he  had  been  so  careful  to  avoid  all  appear- 
ance of  intimacy  with  him.  Ellerey  was  not  inclined  to 


TWO  VISITORS  63 

place  implicit  trust  in  De  Froilette.  He  did  not  pretend 
to  a  keen  insight  into  other  men's  characters,  but  he 
conceived  that  De  Froilette  would  not  be  likely  to  lose 
sight  of  his  own  interests,  no  matter  whom  he  served, 
nor  how  humbly  such  service  might  be  tendered.  Ellerey 
was  not  even  convinced  that  the  Frenchman's  support 
of  the  Queen's  schemes  was  whole-hearted,  and  be- 
lieved him  quite  capable  of  giving  just  so  much  help  as 
would  presently  enable  him  to  thwart  her  and  reap 
benefit  for  himself.  Whatever  the  mission  was  which 
he  was  about  to  undertake,  Ellerey  intended  to  do  his 
utmost  to  carry  it  to  success;  and  if  De  Froilette  by 
chance  stood  in  his  way,  it  was  not  likely  to  be  merely 
a  question  of  words  between  them. 

More  subtle,  more  given  to  abstract  reasoning,  a 
successful  student  of  character,  it  must  be  said  for  Mon- 
sieur De  Froilette  that  he  fully  trusted  Captain  Ellerey, 
in  so  far  that  he  believed  he  would  do  whatever  task  was 
set  him  better,  probably,  than  most  men  would.  That 
he  would  be  a  match  for  such  men  as  Lord  Cloverton, 
with  the  weapons  Lord  Cloverton  would  use,  he  did  not 
expect,  and  that  the  Ambassador  had  visited  Ellerey 
troubled  him  not  a  little.  That  Lord  Cloverton  could 
possibly  suspect  the  true  state  of  things  he  did  not  for  a 
moment  believe;  but  every  hour's  delay  now  would  be 
in  the  Ambassador's  favor,  and  the  sooner  the  blow  was 
struck  the  better — the  more  hope  of  success  was  there. 
Everything  was  ready,  and  it  was  now  that  De  Froilette's 
anxiety  was  greatest.  He  was  too  complete  a  schemer 
not  to  realize  how  often  it  was  the  small  insignificant  thing 
which  served  to  ruin  great  enterprises  built  up  with  so 
much  care  and  elaboration.  Over  and  over  again  he  had 
tested  every  point  in  his  plans,  and  had  not  succeeded  in 
finding  any  weak  spot.  There  seemed  to  be  no  contin- 


64 

gency  he  was  not  prepared  to  meet,  for  which  he  was  not 
ready;  and  yet  a  sense  of  misgiving,  almost  amounting 
to  a  feeling  of  insecurity,  oppressed  him  as  he  walked  along 
the  Altstrasse.  The  people  hanging  about  the  door 
saluted  him,  for  the  Frenchman  had  been  liberal  to  his 
poor  neighbors,  and  had  an  excellent  name  for  charity. 
He  had  made  many  friends  of  this  kind  in  Sturatzberg, 
and  since  he  had  confessed  to  disliking  unprofitable  friends, 
it  must  be  assumed  that  he  looked  to  reap  some  reward 
from  them  in  the  future.  He  was  not  the  man  to  pay  merely 
for  respect  and  smiles. 

He  went  to  his  room,  the  room  in  which  he  and  Ellerey 
had  sat  talking  after  dinner,  the  room  to  which  the  Queen 
had  come.  A  pile  of  unopened  letters  was  upon  the  desk, 
for  Monsieur  De  Froilette  employed  no  secretary,  and  he 
turned  over  these  letters  without  opening  them  before 
ringing  for  Frangois. 

"  Well,  Frangois  ?  "  he  said  as  the  man  entered.  He 
always  asked  the  question  in  the  same  manner  when  he 
had  been  absent  for  any  time,  and  listened  to  the  servant's 
answer  without  interrupting  him.  The  answer  was  usually 
a  long  one,  full  details  of  the  happenings  during  the  mas- 
ter's absence,  not  of  those  in  the  house  only,  but  of  those 
in  the  city  as  well.  To-day,  however,  there  was  no  long 
answer.  Francois  seemed  fully  aware  of  the  essential 
point. 

"Monsieur,  the  Princess,  she  has  left  England!" 

"My  good  Frangois,  you  are  uninteresting.  That 
happened  weeks  ago.  The  Princess  is  cruising  to  the 
British  Colonies.  It  is  known,  indeed  was  arranged,  by 
the  British  Government." 

"It  was,  monsieur,  that  is  right — it  was;  but  the 
Princess  found  a  substitute  for  that  voyage.  She  did 
not  go.  She  slipped  away  quietly,  and  no  one  knew." 


TWO  VISITORS  65 

De  Froilette's  face  was  suddenly  pale.  He  did  not 
speak,  but  Frangois  read  the  question  in  his  eyes. 

"  It  is  so,  monsieur,"  he  said.  "  The  Princess  Maritza 
is  in  Sturatzberg." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

FRINA  MAVRODIN'S  GUEST 

FOR  some  time  Monsieur  De  Froilette  remained  silent. 
The  return  of  the  Princess  was  a  contingency  he  had 
not  provided  for. 

"  Where  is  she  ?  "  he  asked  suddenly. 

"Alas,  monsieur,  I  do  not  know,"  Francois  answered. 
"  She  has  powerful  friends  in  Sturatzberg,  and  they  con- 
ceal her  well.  I  saw  her  for  one  moment  in  Konigsplatz. 
She  was  alone,  and  entered  a  shop  there.  I  followed  her, 
but  she  was  gone.  I  called  myssjf  her  servant,  and  in- 
quired about  her,  making  the  sign  that  has  so  long  been 
used  by  her  partisans  to  secure  an  answer.  It  had  no 
effect.  I  was  told  that  I  was  mistaken,  that  no  such  lady 
as  I  had  described  had  entered.  Do  you  not  understand, 
monsieur,  the  sign  must  have  been  changed  ?  " 

De  Froilette  understood  only  too  well.  At  his  very 
door  were  enemies,  the  more  dangerous  because  they 
had  been  partially  admitted  into  his  plans.  He  had 
himself  given  them  reason  for  watching  him,  and  the 
opportunity  of  doing  so.  That  was  past  and  beyond 
reparation,  but  this  arch  schemer  was  not  the  man  to 
stand  idly  regretting  a  mistake.  Even  mistakes  might 
be  used  to  advantage. 

"I  will  dress,  Francois,"  he  said  presently.  "I  had 
not  intended  to  go  to  Court  to-night,  but  this  news  com- 
pels me." 


MARITZA 


FRINA  MAVRODIN'S  GUEST  67 

"  And  how  shall  we  find  the  Princess,  monsieur  ?  " 

"  We  will  not  trouble.  We  will  set  others  to  do  that. 
Matters  will  be  for  our  benefit  in  the  end,  Francois. 
Quickly,  I  must  dress." 

De  Froilette  dined  alone  and  dismissed  the  man  who 
waited  upon  him  as  soon  as  possible.  A  portrait  of 
Queen  Elena  stood  on  a  side  table,  and  he  got  up  and 
placed  it  beside  him ,  contemplating  it  thoughtfully  as  he 
sipped  his  wine. 

"If  we  succeed,"  he  mused,  "there  is  high  place  and 
distinction  to  be  won.  This  Englishman  may  win  it  for 
me.  In  a  revolution  a  King's  life  is  as  other  men's,  de- 
pendent on  the  hazard  of  a  die.  If  I  read  her  smile  aright 
I  shall  have  my  reward.  And  if  we  fail  ?  " — he  paused 
to  consider  the  course  of  events  in  such  a  case — "who 
knows  ?  My  reward  might  come  the  easier.  There 
would  be  few  shelters  open  to  her.  Only  in  defeat  through 
Princess  Maritza's  influence  is  there  danger  to  me.  Suc- 
cess or  failure  otherwise,  what  does  it  matter  ?  I  shall  win. 
The  paths  to  mountain  peaks  are  ever  rugged,  but  men 
reach  the  summits.  Why  should  I  fail  ?  The  road  to 

power  may  be  closed  against  me,  but  the  road  to  love " 

And  he  gazed  into  the  eyes  of  the  portrait,  finding  an 
answer  in  them.  This  man  of  action  was  a  dreamer 
too. 

When  he  entered  the  palace  that  evening,  De  Froilette 
inquired  whether  Lord  Cloverton  had  arrived,  and  being 
answered  in  the  negative,  remained  at  the  head  of  the 
stairs,  speaking  a  few  words  to  this  acquaintance  and  to 
that,  bowing  a  well-turned  compliment  to  one  fair  lady, 
or  meeting  another's  pleasantry  with  an  answering  jest. 
He  was  in  excellent  good  humor. 

Presently  Lord  Cloverton  came  mincing  up  the  steps, 
pausing  half  a  dozen  times  to  greet  acquaintances.  He, 


68  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

too,  was  in  excellent  humor;  but  then  he  seldom  allowed 
people  to  see  him  otherwise. 

"How  I  hate  the  man,"  De  Froilette  said  to  himself, 
going  toward  the  Ambassador  as  he  reached  the  vesti- 
bule. "  May  I  have  a  word  with  you,  my  lord  ?  " 

"A  thousand,  my  dear  Monsieur  De  Froilette.  Ah, 
a  private  word  is  it?"  he  added  as  the  Frenchman  led 
him  aside. 

"My  lord,  you  have  my  greatest  esteem,  as  you  are 
aware." 

Lord  Cloverton  bowed. 

"If,  as  a  loyal  Frenchman,  I  would  see  France  pre- 
dominant in  the  affairs  of  this  country,  that  is  natural, 
is  it  not  so  ?  " 

"Most  natural  indeed,  and,  monsieur,  I  say  frankly, 
France  is  playing  a  very  worthy  part." 

"No  doubt,  my  lord,"  De  Froilette  answered.  "I 
am  but  a  looker-on,  with  certain  business  interests  which 
politics  might  affect,  and  therefore  I  take  some  notice 
of  politics.  Perhaps  I  see  more  clearly  than  some,  my 
lord — the  lookers-on  often  do;  and  I  am  convinced  that 
British  policy  is  at  the  present  moment  the  safeguard 
of  Wallaria." 

"I  rejoice  to  hear  it,  monsieur." 

"And  if  you  will  allow  me,  my  lord,  I  will  add  that 
your  presence  in  Sturatzberg  is  the  great  security." 

"You  flatter  me,"  Lord  Cloverton  returned.  "You 
will  be  pleased  to  learn  that  I  have  received  no  notifica- 
tion that  I  am  likely  to  be  removed  from  Sturatzberg." 

"  That  would  indeed  be  a  disaster,"  said  De  Froilette. 
"So,  my  lord,  any  small  help,  any  little  information  I 
can  give  you,  I  shall  give  gladly.  Regard  for  yourself 
and  my  business  interests  will  prompt  me.  We  have  all 
a  vein  of  selfishness  in  us." 


FRINA  MAVRODIN'S  GUEST  69 

"I  am  honored  by  your  confidence,  and  you  will  be 
welcome  at  the  Embassy." 

"I  will  give  you  the  information  now,"  said  De  Froi- 
lette.  And  he  lowered  his  voice  as  he  leaned  toward 
the  Ambassador:  "The  Princess  Maritza!" 

"  Is  in  Australia  at  present,  I  believe." 

"  Exactly,"  said  the  Frenchman.  "  Making  a  tour  of 
the  English  Colonies.  A  delicate  attention  to  an  honored 
guest  and  unfortunate  exile,  designed  to  keep  her  out  of 
the  way  while  the  present  unsettled  feeling  in  Wallaria 
lasts ;  is  it  not  so  ?  ". 

"Your  political  acumen  is  not  at  fault." 

"No,  my  lord,  but  yours  is.  The  lady  at  present  in 
Australia,  or  wherever  she  may  be,  is  not  the  Princess, 
but  a  substitute.  It  needs  very  powerful  friends  to  carry 
through  such  a  deception  as  that." 

Lord  Cloverton  turned  sharply  toward  him,  and,  as 
Francois  had  done,  De  Froilette  answered  the  unasked 
question. 

"Yes,  my  lord;  Princess  Maritza  is  in  Sturatzberg." 

"  Hiding  where  ?  " 

"  That  I  do  not  know.  You  will  doubtless  take  means 
to  find  out.  Command  me  if  I  can  help  you  in  any  way." 

"I  thank  you  for  the  information.  If  you  are  not 
mistaken,  the  wayward  child  has  been  very  ill  advised. 
I  gather,  monsieur,  that  your  business  affairs  would 
suffer  were  such  a  thing  as  a  rising  in  the  Princess  Ma- 
ritza's  favor  to  take  place  ?  " 

"Have  I  not  said  that  there  is  a  selfish  vein  in  all  of 
us?" 

Lord  Cloverton  smiled,  and  together  they  crossed  the 
vestibule. 

Their  short  colloquy  had  not  been  overheard,  nor  had 
their  presence  been  particularly  noticed  there  except  by 


70  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

one  person — the  Countess  Mavrodin.  She  had  reached 
the  head  of  the  stairs  as  De  Froilette  had  leaned  con- 
fidentially forward  toward  the  Ambassador,  and  she 
hastily  greeted  a  friend,  keeping  her  standing  at  the  top 
of  the  stairs  while  they  talked.  She  had  good  reason 
to  be  curious  regarding  such  a  confidence  between  two 
such  men,  and  while  she  laughed  and  talked  she  watched 
them.  She  did  not  move  until  they  had  crossed  the  ves- 
tibule, and  when  they  separated  she  followed  Lord  Clover- 
ton. 

Desmond  Ellerey  met  her  and  found  her  in  a  gracious 
mood. 

"Have  I  quite  pardoned  you  for  mistaking  me  for 
another  woman  that  night  in  the  Altstrasse  ?  "  she  said  gayly. 

"I  hope  so;  indeed,  I  thought  so." 

"  I  am  sorry.  I  ought  to  have  reserved  some  of  my 
displeasure." 

"Why?" 

"  So  that  I  might  demand  a  favor." 

"You  have  but  to  demand,  Countess." 

"Then  stay  with  me  and  keep  me  near  Lord  Clover- 
ton,"  she  said. 

"What!    Has  he  incurred  your  displeasure,  too?" 

"  Must  I  give  reasons  for  my  demand  ?  " 

"No." 

"  Then  you  trust  me  ?  " 

"As  I  would  trust  any  woman." 

For  a  moment  she  seemed  satisfied,  and  then  she 
turned  toward  him. 

"  Is  there  a  meaning  underneath  that  ?  Do  you  trust 
no  woman?" 

"  I  have  learnt  my  lessons  in  a  hard  school,  Countess. 
I  trust  few,  either  men  or  women,  and  I  have  more  knowl- 
edge of  men  than  women." 


FRINA  MAVRODIN'S  GUEST 


71 


They  followed  Lord  Cloverton  across  the  rooms,  and 
she  noticed  every  one  to  whom  he  spoke.  Presently  he 
stood  to  watch  the  dancing  for  a  moment,  but  he  seemed 
to  avoid  any  person  who  might  detain  him  in  conversa- 
tion for  any  leng' ' 

"I  think  the 
the  Countess  sai 
Ellerey?  Willy 
for  me  ?  " 

Ellerey  went 
was  watching  tl 
some  time  to  fir 
met  Lord  Clovei 
the  Ambassador 

"  The  Embas! 

Countess  Ma 
Cloverton  drove  a 

"  I  thank  you 
bering  favors." 

"I  shall  rem 
answered.     "  Inc 
this  afternoon  Loi 
he  looked  upon  : 
anything  which  m 

"  He  said  you 
in  vain.     Yes,  I  wi 
You   neither  trus 
warning  is  unneo 
one — Jules  De  Fro 

"  Did  her  Ma 
Ellerey  asked. 

"No,  monsieur;  it  is  an  original  idea.  I  have  ideas 
of  my  own  sometimes.  I  have  one  now.  If  you  are 
leaving  the  palace,  I  will  drive  you  to  the  Western  Gate." 


70 


PRINCESS  MARITZA 


one  person — the  Countess  Mavrodin.  She  had  reached 
the  head  of  the  stairs  as  De  Froilette  had  leaned  con- 
fidentially forward  toward  the  Ambassador,  and  she 
hastily  greeted  a  friend,  keeping  her  standing  at  the  top 

rood  reason 
Between  two 
the  watched 
ied  the  ves- 
ord  Clover- 


of  the  stairs  while  thev 

to 

su< 

th< 

tib 

tor 


turne 


no  w« 
« • 


a  gracious 

ng  me  for 
said  gayly. 

me  of  my 


i  Clover- 


too?! 


icn  she 


m  trust 


lessons  in  a  hard  school,  Countess. 
I  trust  few,  either  men  or  women,  and  I  have  more  knowl- 
edge of  men  than  women." 


FRINA  MAVRODIN'S  GUEST  71 

They  followed  Lord  Cloverton  across  the  rooms,  and 
she  noticed  every  one  to  whom  he  spoke.  Presently  he 
stood  to  watch  the  dancing  for  a  moment,  but  he  seemed 
to  avoid  any  person  who  might  detain  him  in  conversa- 
tion for  any  length  of  time. 

"I  think  the  Ambassador  will  leave  early  to-night," 
the  Countess  said.  "May  I  beg  another  favor,  Captain 
Ellerey  ?  Will  you  see  that  my  carriage  is  ready  waiting 
for  me  ?  " 

Ellerey  went  to  do  her  bidding,  wondering  why  she 
was  watching  the  Ambassador  so  keenly.  It  took  him 
some  time  to  find  her  servants,  and  as  he  returned  he 
met  Lord  Cloverton.  With  the  slightest  of  recognitions 
the  Ambassador  got  into  his  carriage. 

"The  Embassy,  quickly,"  he  said. 

Countess  Mavrodin  came  down  the  stairs  as  Lord 
Cloverton  drove  away. 

"  I  thank  you,"  she  said.  "  I  have  a  habit  of  remem- 
bering favors." 

"I  shall  remember  that  you  have  said  so,"  Ellerey 
answered.  "Indeed,  I  can  even  now  ask  one.  Only 
this  afternoon  Lord  Cloverton  was  pleased  to  tell  me  that 
he  looked  upon  me  as  an  enemy.  Should  you  discover 
anything  which  might  affect  me,  will  you  tell  me  ?  " 

"  He  said  you  were  an  enemy;  then  I  am  not  suspicious 
in  vain.  Yes,  I  will  tell  you  if  I  can.  One  word,  monsieur. 
You  neither  trust  women  nor  men,  so  perchance  the 
warning  is  unnecessary;  but  of  all  men  at  least  distrust 
one — Jules  De  Froilette." 

"Did  her  Majesty  bid  you  give  me  that  message?" 
Ellerey  asked. 

"No,  monsieur;  it  is  an  original  idea.  I  have  ideas 
of  my  own  sometimes.  I  have  one  now.  If  you  are 
leaving  the  palace,  I  will  drive  you  to  the  Western  Gate." 


72  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

She  was  pretty,  and  Ellerey  was  only  human.  Strictly 
speaking,  his  duty  was  to  remain,  lest  the  Queen  should 
send  for  him;  but  he  helped  the  Countess  into  her  car- 
riage and  seated  himself  beside  her.  She  refused  to  be 
serious  as  they  drove  through  the  city,  and  when  Ellerey 
entered  his  lodging  he  was  left  to  wonder  at  what  point 
the  incidents  of  the  evening  touched  his  mission.  Why 
should  the  Countess  become  suddenly  interested  in  the 
movements  of  Lord  Cloverton  ?  and  since  she  was  closely 
attached  to  the  Queen,  why  should  she  warn  him  against 
De  Froilette,  who  was  also  deep  in  her  Majesty's  confi- 
dence ?  The  problem  was  beyond  his  power  to  solve. 

Frina  Mavrodin  was  a  far  more  important  person  in 
Sturatzberg  than  Ellerey  imagined.  It  was  not  only  at 
Court  that  she  was  popular;  she  was  besides  the  Lady 
Bountiful  to  the  poor.  She  was  immensely  wealthy,  and 
her  beautiful  home  by  the  river,  in  the  southwest  of  the 
city,  had  been  called  the  beggars'  paradise,  for  those  who 
asked  charity  were  seldom  sent  away  empty.  The  gen- 
eral criticism  of  her  was  that  she  was  a  pretty  woman, 
very  adorable,  a  little  frivolous  perhaps,  and  possessed 
of  much  more  heart  than  head.  She  seemed  to  take  delight 
in  such  criticism,  and  to  be  at  some  pains  to  fully  merit 
it.  But  there  was  another  side  to  her  character  which 
few  persons  ever  got  even  a  glimpse  of.  Her  profound 
knowledge  of  current  politics  would  have  startled  Lord 
Cloverton,  and  her  capacity  for  intrigue  and  scheming 
would  have  astonished  even  Monsieur  De  Froilette  into 
admiration.  There  were  few  clubs  and  societies  in 
Sturatzberg,  where  discontent  was  fostered  and  secret 
plans  discussed,  which  were  not  known  to  Frina  Mavro- 
din. She  was  conversant  with  their  secret  signs,  their 
aims,  and  their  means,  and  knew  by  sight  most  of  their 
influential  members.  A  single  word  from  her  would  have 


FRINA  MAVRODIN'S  GUEST  73 

sent  many  a  man  to  prison  who  walked  the  streets 
freely.  Perhaps,  in  all  Sturatzberg,  there  was  only  one 
person  who  gave  her  credit  for  such  knowledge,  and 
who  was  content  to  be  guided  in  some  measure  by  her 
advice. 

This  person,  at  present,  occupied  a  suite  of  rooms  in 
Frina  Mavrodin's  house,  and  this  evening  she  reclined 
at  full  length  among  the  cushions  of  a  low  couch,  and 
watched  a  door  at  one  end  of  the  room  expectantly.  Her 
hand  was  stretched  out  to  a  bowl  of  flowers  on  a  table 
by  her  side,  and  she  plucked  a  petal  at  intervals  which 
she  crushed  and  let  fall.  Something  of  the  girl's  character 
seemed  to  be  in  the  action.  She  was  not  weary,  not  worn 
out  with  the  day's  work  or  pleasure,  whichever  it  might 
have  been,  but  was  waiting  anxiously,  irritably  even,  for 
news,  or  for  someone's  coming.  Her  hair  had  loosened 
by  contact  with  the  cushions,  and  fell  about  her  shoulders 
in  luxuriant  copper-colored  tresses.  Presently  the  door 
opened,  and  an  elderly  woman  entered — an  English 
woman,  plain  in  feature  and  resolute  in  manner. 

"You  have  been  spoiling  your  flowers,"  she  said,  see- 
ing the  scattered  petals  on  the  carpet. 

"  Never  mind  them.     Has  Dumitru  come,  Hannah  ?  " 

"Just  come." 

"Then  bring  him  in,  bring  him  in.  Why  do  you 
wait?"  exclaimed  the  girl,  half -rising  from  her  reclining 
position.  "I  cannot  afford  to  have  fools  about  me  in 
such  times  as  these." 

"You  haven't,"  the  woman  answered  bluntly,  evi- 
dently quite  used  to  the  petulant  moods  of  her  mistress. 
"  I  was  one  when  I  came  out  of  Devon  to  a  heathen  place 
like  this ;  but  that  time  is  past."  And  she  went  to  the  door 
and  beckoned  to  a  man  to  come  in.  As  he  entered  she 
went  out,  closing  the  door  behind  her. 


74  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

When  she  had  gone  the  man  dropped  swiftly  on  one 
knee  by  the  couch. 

"Well,  Dumitru?" 

"He  returned  to-day,"  said  the  man,  rising  and 
standing  erect.  "He  went  straight  to  the  lodging  of 
this  English  Captain." 

"And  then?" 

"To  Court,  Princess." 

"And  his  mission,  Dumitru — was  it  in  my  interests, 
think  you  ?  " 

The  man  made  a  fierce  clicking  sound  with  his  tongue. 

"Ah,  no,  no,  no;  and  again  a  hundred  times,  no.  He 
is  for  the  Queen  a  little,  and  for  himself  very  much.  Have 
you  still  a  doubt,  even  now  ?  A  sudden  death  should  be 
his  reward." 

"Patience,  Dumitru." 

"The  English  Captain  had  another  visitor  to-day — 
the  British  Minister." 

"  This  English  Captain  is  in  great  requisition,  it  would 
seem,"  she  said. 

"Aye,  he  is  a  man,  I  grant  you  that — strong,  resolute, 
and  rides  as  though  horse  and  rider  were  one  piece." 

"And  honest,  Dumitru.  I  have  looked  into  his  face 
and  thought  him  so." 

"Can  one  judge  so  easily?"  asked  the  man.  "Be- 
sides, honest  or  not,  he  is  for  our  enemies." 

"Our  enemies  must  be  swept  aside,"  she  said  im- 
periously, as  though  not  only  the  will,  but  the  power  to 
do  so  were  hers. 

"Thus,  Princess,"  and  the  man's  dark  eyes  gleamed 
as  he  just  showed  the  keen,  thin  blade  of  a  dagger 
which  he  carried  in  his  cloak. 

"Not  without  my  command,  Dumitru,"  she  said 
hastily. 


FRINA  MAVRODIN'S  GUEST  75 

The  man  bowed  low,  disappointed  perhaps  that  the 
same  spirit  was  not  in  her  as  was  in  him. 

"We  may  use  this  English  Captain  for  our  ends," 
she  went  on.  "I  have  a  way  and  you  shall  help  me, 
Dumitru,  when  the  time  comes.  That  Lord  Cloverton  has 
visited  him  shows  that  some  new  pressure  is  to  be  brought 
to  bear  upon  him.  We  shall  see  how  he  stands  in  this, 
whether  firm  or  not,  and  may  learn  how  to  act  ourselves." 

"He  is  ready  to  act  when  the  token  is  given  him," 
said  Dumitru.  "He  has  a  few  desperate  men  who  are 
pledged  to  his  service." 

"  You  are  sure  of  this  ?  " 

"  Quite  sure." 

"  Who  will  follow  for  love  of  him  ?  "  she  asked. 

"They  are  of  the  kind  who  follow  more  readily  for 
money,"  answered  the  man. 

The  girl  remained  thoughtful  for  a  few  moments. 
Something  in  the  man's  information  had  set  her  thoughts 
running  in  a  new  channel,  and  while  she  mused  Frina 
Mavrodin  entered  the  room  hurriedly. 

Dumitru  bowed  low  before  her. 

"You  are  early,"  said  the  Princess. 

Frina  turned  to  Dumitru. 

"Captain  Ellerey  has  returned  early  to  his  lodging. 
too;  it  would  be  well  to  watch.  I  do  not  think  it  will 
happen  to-night,  but  should  any  messenger  seek  him  we 
must  know  at  once." 

"  Go,  Dumitru,"  said  the  Princess,  and  when  he  had 
gone  she  turned  to  her  companion:  "What  has  brought 
you  home  so  early  ?  " 

"You,  Maritza.  I  wondered  whether  you  had  re- 
mained safely  here,  or  whether  you  had  again  jeopard- 
ized your  cause  by  going  so  openly  into  the  streets. 
It  is  known  that  you  are  in  Sturatzbcrg." 


76  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"By  whom?" 

"That  lynx-eyed  servant  of  De  Froilette 's  saw  you, 
as  you  know.  You  thought  he  would  believe  himself 
mistaken,  but  I  knew  better.  His  master  returned  to-day, 
and  to-night  I  found  Monsieur  De  Froilette  and  Lord 
Cloverton  in  confidential  conversation.  When  two  men 
who  hate  each  other  as  they  do,  agree,  it  is  time  to  prepare 
for  the  storm.  You  must  remain  an  absolute  prisoner 
here  for  a  while." 

"  I  am  tired  of  inactivity." 

"You  will  not  have  to  wait  long,"  Frina  answered. 
"Within  an  hour,  I  warrant  you,  there  will  be  spies  out 
in  every  quarter  of  the  city  to  try  and  find  your  hiding- 
place.  You  are  safe  so  long  as  you  remain  here.  What 
an  advantage  it  is  to  have  such  a  reputation  for  empty- 
headedness  as  I  have.  No  doubt  De  Froilette  played  a 
trump  card  in  telling  Lord  Cloverton  of  your  presence 
in  Sturatzberg.  The  task  of  finding  you  will  occupy 
the  Minister's  attention  for  a  little  while,  and  if  De  Froi- 
lette is  ready,  he  will  seize  the  opportunity  to  strike  his 
blow.  That  is  why  I  offered  to  drive  Captain  Ellerey 
to  his  lodging.  If  the  token  is  to  be  given  to-night  he 
will  not  be  there  to  receive  it." 

"  It  may  be  sent  to  him,"  said  the  Princess. 

"  That  is  why  Dumitru  watches  by  the  Western  Gate." 

"The  moment  the  token  is  given  I  must  know,"  said 
Maritza.  "I  have  a  plan.  I  have  had  plenty  of  lonely 
hours  in  which  to  mature  plans.  I  am  longing  to  put 
them  into  action.  We  are  too  cautious,  Frina." 

"  Your  want  of  caution  in  going  openly  into  the  city 
has  nearly  ruined  us,  Maritza." 

'*  I  have  many  friends  in  the  city." 

"True,  and  many  enemies;  and  it  is  the  enemies 
who  happen  to  be  in  power.  Do  not  be  impatient." 


FRINA  MAVRODIN'S  GUEST  77 

"  Over-caution  may  be  as  fatal  as  impatience,"  Maritza 
answered.  "We  should  advance  a  step  each  day,  each 
night ;  do  we  advance  ?  " 

"So  fast  that  we  shall  have  to  run  quickly  to  keep 
abreast  of  affairs  shortly.  A  few  weeks  ago  had  you  any 
real  hope  of  being  in  Sturatzberg?  Yet  you  are  here. 
Had  you  even  a  suspicion  that  Jules  De  Froilette  had 
been  working  in  his  own  interests  for  these  two  years 
past,  and  not  in  yours  ?  " 

"True,  Frina,  we  have  advanced.  Heaven  help  De 
Froilette  when  I  touch  power.  Who  knows  what  injury 
he  may  not  have  done  to  my  cause  in  these  two  years  ? 
And  he  has  succeeded  in  drawing  this  English  Captain 
into  his  schemes." 

"Captain  Ellerey  does  not  like  De  Froilette,"  said 
Frina.  "  Tell  me  your  plan,  Maritza." 

The  Princess  drew  a  flower  carefully  from  the  bowl 
and  held  it  to  her  face,  as  though  she  were  absorbed  for 
a  moment  in  its  beauty  and  fragrance. 

"Captain  Ellerey  left  the  Court  with  you,  to-night," 
she  said.  "That  was  wisely  thought  of.  Did  he  come 
willingly?" 

Frina  laughed,  such  a  joy  in  the  laugh  that  the  Prin- 
cess looked  at  her  in  astonishment. 

"Yes,  he  came  willingly,  most  willingly,  I  think." 

"  You  hope  to  win  him  to  my  cause  ?  " 

" He  is  a  man,  I  am  a  woman;  I  shall  try." 

"And  then?" 

"  Then,  Maritza — ah,  we  run  on  too  fast.  Tell  me 
your  plan." 

"It  is  strange,"  said  the  Princess  slowly;  "but  in 
England,  as  I  told  you,  I  once  met  Captain  Ellerey.  I 
told  him  who  I  was,  and  promised  him  work  for  his 
sword  should  he  ever  come  to  Wallaria." 


78  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  You  told  him  that !    Why  ?  " 

"I  am  a  woman,  and  he  is  a  man,"  the  Princess 
answered. 

For  a  moment  the  two  women  looked  into  each  other's 
eyes.  Then  Frina  looked  down  and  straightened  a  fold 
of  her  dress,  while  Maritza  bent  to  inhale  the  perfume 
of  the  flowers  in  the  vase.  The  Princess  did  not  tell  her 
plan,  and  Frina  Mavrodin  forgot  to  question  her. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  TIME   ARRIVES 

WITHIN  a  short  time  of  Lord  Cloverton's  return  to  the 
Embassy,  spies  and  secret-service  agents  were  abroad  in 
the  city  endeavoring  to  discover  the  whereabouts  of 
Princess  Maritza.  The  Ambassador  at  once  telegraphed 
to  the  Foreign  Office  in  London,  and  received  the  answer 
that  the  report  of  her  return  to  Wallaria  was  absurd, 
that  she  was  certainly  on  her  way  to  Australia.  This 
confident  answer,  however,  did  not  satisfy  Lord  Cloverton, 
in  spite  of  the  fact  that  no  news  of  the  Princess  was  forth- 
coming. That  she  could  have  returned  to  Sturatzberg 
without  his  knowledge,  more,  without  the  knowledge  of 
any  of  those  who  were  so  eager  to  keep  her  out  of  the 
country,  seemed  impossible;  but  then  in  diplomacy  it 
was  often  the  impossible  things  which  happened.  He 
was  too  astute  a  man  to  underrate  the  undoubted  ability 
of  De  Froilette.  There  were  few  men  who  probed  more 
accurately  the  likely  trend  of  future  events,  or  who  were 
quicker  to  recognize  opportunities  and  seize  them  than 
the  Frenchman,  and  Lord  Cloverton  argued  that  he  was 
far  too  clever  a  man  to  tell  such  an  unlikely  story  merely 
to  serve  his  own  ends.  He  would  know  that  the  very 
improbability  of  the  tale  would  have  the  effect  of  drawing 
attention  to  himself  and  his  actions.  No,  whether  the 
report  were  true  or  not,  De  Froilette  believed  it,  and  evi- 
dently saw  danger  to  himself  in  the  presence  of  Princess 
Maritza.  At  the  same  time  he  might  perceive  a  favorable 


80  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

opportunity  in  the  state  of  affairs  to  exploit  his  own  plans, 
and  Lord  Cloverton  took  the  precaution  to  have  the  French- 
man under  careful  observation. 

The  unexpected  information  had  also  caused  the 
Ambassador  to  reconsider  Captain  Ellerey's  position  in 
Sturatzberg.  It  was  quite  possible  that  he  knew  more 
about  the  Princess  than  any  one  else.  He  was  the  kind 
of  man  who  would  have  nerve  and  determination  enough 
to  attempt  a  desperate  venture,  and  having  little  to  lose 
and  all  to  win,  might  go  far  toward  success.  He  and 
De  Froilette  apparently  held  little  communication  with 
each  other;  the  characteristics  of  the  two  men  were  an- 
tagonistic ;  and  the  Englishman  might  be  quite  as  capable 
of  playing  a  deep  game  as  the  Frenchman  was. 

It  was  a  sleepless  night  for  the  Ambassador.  This 
was  just  such  a  complication  as  might  embroil  the  nations 
of  Europe  in  strife,  an  excuse  which  might  serve  to  snap 
diplomatic  relations  and  spread  the  lurid  clouds  of  war 
from  the  Ural  range  to  the  shores  of  the  Atlantic.  One 
thing  seemed  certain,  De  Froilette  had  not  repeated  his 
information  broadcast.  No  intimation  reached  Lord 
Cloverton  that  the  report  had  even  been  whispered  in 
any  of  the  other  Embassies,  and  there  was  some  conso- 
lation in  this. 

No  news  came  during  the  following  day.  Wherever 
the  Princess  was,  her  secret  was  well  kept,  probably  be- 
cause only  a  few  persons  had  been  admitted  into  it,  and 
it  seemed  evident  that  no  special  movement  had  taken 
place  in  her  favor,  or  had  even  been  arranged  for.  Some 
bold  coup  d'etat  might  be  in  contemplation,  and  although 
the  many  and  diverse  interests  in  the  country  were  prob- 
ably sufficient  to  render  any  attempt  abortive  in  itself, 
yet  such  an  attempt  might  be  the  one  thing  needed  to  fan 
the  smouldering  ashes  into  flame,  starting  a  conflagration 


THE  TIME  ARRIVES  81 

which  would  burn  throughout  Europe.  Such  fires  never 
die  out — they  are  always  smouldering. 

Any  person  who  had  watched  Lord  Cloverton  closely 
when  he  went  to  the  palace  that  night,  would  have  been 
struck  by  his  particular  alertness.  He  was  observant  of 
the  composition  of  the  different  groups  in  the  rooms,  of 
those  who  were  chiefly  about  her  Majesty,  and  of  those 
who  danced  together.  The  slightest  confidential  whisper 
near  him  attracted  his  attention,  and  more  than  once  he 
caused  a  blush  to  mount  to  a  pretty  woman's  cheeks  by 
suddenly  surprising  a  murmured  love  passage  meant  for 
no  other  ears  but  her  own.  To  those  to  whom  he  spoke 
he  succeeded  in  giving  the  impression  that  he  had  only 
a  few  moments  to  spare  them,  that  he  was  purposely 
keeping  himself  free,  but  he  managed  to  suggest  that 
it  was  not  business,  but  some  pleasure  he  anticipated. 

He  glanced  round  all  the  rooms  in  search  of  Captain 
Ellerey,  who  either  had  not  yet  arrived,  or  had  already 
retired  into  some  quiet  corner,  probably  with  the  Coun- 
tess Mavrodin.  The  last  conjecture  was  wrong,  however, 
for  standing  in  a  position  which  commanded  the  entrance 
to  the  suite  of  state  rooms,  the  Ambassador  presently 
saw  Frina  Mavrodin  on  the  arm  of  an  attach^  of  the 
Austrian  Embassy,  an  offshoot  of  a  princely  house  who, 
rumor  said,  had  already  been  twice  refused  by  the  fair 
lady,  and  was  only  awaiting  an  opportunity  to  adventure 
his  case  for  a  third  time.  He  was  evidently  persuading 
her  to  dance  with  him,  and  she  was  laughingly  protesting, 
perhaps  promising  to  do  so  later  in  the  evening.  She  was, 
however,  not  averse  to  his  company,  for  she  palpably 
kept  him  by  her  side,  and  they  remained  talking  and  laugh- 
ing together,  the  man  extremely  happy,  the  woman  watch- 
ful and  rather  preoccupied,  the  Ambassador  thought. 

For  half  an  hour  or  more  she  remained  there,  evi- 
6 


82  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

dently  using  the  Austrian's  presence  to  keep  herself  free 
from  other  companions.  Several  spoke  to  her,  but  since 
the  attach^  did  not  move  away,  the  new  arrivals  were 
obliged  to  leave  her  after  exchanging  a  few  words.  At 
last  Lord  Cloverton  noticed  that  the  expression  of  her  face 
suddenly  changed.  She  looked  at  him,  or  rather  beyond 
him,  and  turning  to  discover  the  cause,  he  saw  Desmond 
Ellerey  crossing  the  room  toward  her.  He  also  became 
aware  that  Baron  Petrescu  was  standing  close  to  him  and 
that  he  was  watching  Ellerey,  too. 

Frina  Mavrodin  spoke  quickly  to  her  cavalier,  telling 
him  perhaps  where  he  would  find  her  for  the  promised 
dance,  but  at  any  rate  she  dismissed  him.  For  a  few 
moments  Ellerey  stood  beside  her,  her  smiling  face  raised 
to  his,  and  then  they  went  slowly  toward  the  ball-room. 

"  The  little  comedy  interests  you,  my  lord." 

"  Well,  Baron,  my  white  hair  gives  me  credit  for  greater 
age  than  does  the  feeling  of  youth  which  is  still  in  me.  I 
am  young  enough,  even  now,  to  recognize  love,  and  to  take 
an  interest  in  it — in  others,  of  course." 

Baron ,  Petrescu  shrugged  his  shoulders  rather  con- 
temptuously. 

"  The  moth  ever  flits  to  the  candle,  and  usually  gets 
burnt,"  he  said. 

"  Would  not  the  lodestone  be  the  more  apposite  simile  ?  " 
asked  Lord  Cloverton.  "In  that  case  the  attraction 
brings  no  hurt,  Baron." 

"Time  will  show  which  is  the  best  simile,"  was  the 
answer.  "He  interests  me,  this  Captain  Ellerey." 

"He  interests  the  lady  too,  it  seems,"  replied  the 
Ambassador.  "Indeed,  Captain  Ellerey  interests  many 
people." 

"I  trust  his  courage  is  equal  to  his  ambition,"  said 
the  Baron  with  a  smile.  "There  are  others  striving 


THE  TIME  ARRIVES  83 

for  the  same  prize,  my  lord,  who  do  not  easily  accept 
defeat,  and  are  content  to  pin  their  honor  to  the  sword's 
point." 

"  Jealous,"  said  Lord  Cloverton  to  himself  as  the  Baron 
turned  away,  still  with  a  smile  upon  his  face,  but  with  a 
movement  of  his  shoulders  which  suggested  an  angry  bird 
rufSing  its  feathers.  "He  means  mischief.  Ellerey  may 
find  his  hands  fuller  than  he  expects,  if  the  Baron's  weapon 
is  as  ready  as  his  tongue.  Sentiment  compels  me  to  wish 
my  countiyman  victory,  but  politically — ah!  a  cunning 
thrust  which  would  lay  him  aside  for  a  few  weeks  would 
be  very  convenient  to  me,  and  perhaps  not  the  worst  thing 
which  could  happen  for  him."  And  Lord  Cloverton  went 
toward  the  ball-room. 

The  Countess  and  her  cavalier  had  disappeared. 

"Are  you  still  watching  the  Ambassador  ?  "  Ellerey  had 
asked,  as  she  placed  her  hand  upon  his  arm. 

"No." 

"  Then  let  us  get  out  of  the  crowd.  Few  people  seem 
to  know  of  the  alcove  off  the  ball-room." 

"And  why  such  a  desire  for  solitude,  Captain  Ellerey  ?" 
she  said,  seating  herself  in  a  corner  and  making  room  for 
him  beside  her. 

"Not  solitude,  Countess,  but  restful  companionship. 
I  am  not  desirous  of  living  perpetually  under  the  eye  of 
Lord  Cloverton,  and,  after  what  he  said,  I  imagine  he 
watches  me  pretty  closely." 

"And  is  as  closely  watched,"  she  replied. 

"  Have  you  found  out  anything  which  affects  me  ? " 
Ellerey  asked  after  a  pause. 

She  hesitated. 

"  Not  directly." 

"Indirectly,  then?" 

"Perhaps,  a  little.     It  is  a  small  matter,  but  it  inter- 


84  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

ested  me.  It  has  nothing  to  do  with  Sturatzberg,  but  with 
England." 

Ellerey  was  silent.  Could  Lord  Cloverton  have  re- 
peated his  story  ? 

"  May  I  know  the  nature  of  the — crime  is  it  ? — which 
is  imputed  to  me  ?  " 

"It  is  no  crime,  Captain  Ellerey — rather  a  romance. 
I  should  have  repudiated  the  idea  of  a  crime  in  connection 
with  you." 

"  Countess,  that  is  the  kindest  thing  you  have  ever  said 
to  me." 

She  looked  into  his  face,  and  the  color  came  into  her 
own. 

"Are  we  not  friends?"  she  said,  "and  is  it  not  the 
elemental  part  of  friendship  to  believe  nothing  ill?  I 
would  hardly  believe  a  confession  of  crime,  though  your 
own  lips  spoke  it.  No,  this  information  was  about  a 
woman." 

"Unknown  women  are  a  dangerous  subject  between 
us,  Countess,"  said  Ellerey,  with  a  smile.  "  I  am  barely 
forgiven  yet  for  the  mysterious  lady  of  the  Altstrasse." 

"This  is  not  an  unknown  woman,  but  a  very  famous 
one — none  other  than  Princess  Maritza  of  Wallaria.  You 
have  heard  of  her?" 

"  I  have  not  only  heard  of  her,  but  seen  her  and  spoken 
to  her." 

"And  admired  her  ?  "  she  asked. 

"  Yes,  her  beauty  and  her  indomitable  courage." 

"  That  is  what  I  heard,  that  you  admired  her." 

"  It  is  a  very  strange  thing  for  you  to  hear.  I  only  saw 
her  once,  for  ten  minutes,  perhaps.  She  was  a  school- 
girl, and  playing  truant.  We  met  upon  the  downs  one 
breezy  morning,  a  hat  blown  away  by  the  wind  served  for 
introduction,  and  I  have  never  seen  her  since." 


THE  TIME  ARRIVES  85 

"  It  was  not  for  her  sake,  then,  that  you  came  to  Walla- 
ria?" 

"Ah!  is  that  what  Lord  Cloverton  thinks !"  exclaimed 
Ellerey.  "  Now  I  understand  his  attitude  more  clearly." 

"  You  do  not  answer  my  question,"  she  said. 

"  Her  story  of  the  state  of  affairs  in  Wallaria  certainly 
gave  me  the  idea  of  seeking  fortune  in  this  country." 

"And  love  ?  "  she  said. 

Ellerey  looked  at  her  quickly  and  wondered.  He  was 
not  one  of  those  who  believe  that  they  have  the  power  of 
charming  any  woman,  and  his  companion's  sudden 
question  and  attitude  startled  him.  More  than  one 
answer  sprang  to  his  lips  ready  to  trip  lightly  and  pleasantly 
to  her  ears,  but  they  were  not  spoken.  Instead  he  laughed 
gayly  and  said: 

"A  Princess  and  a  poor  Captain  of  Horse,  Countess  ? 
Such  a  flight  of  fancy  after  ten  minutes'  conversation !  Oh, 
you  jest  and  laugh  at  me." 

There  was  a  further  question  in  her  glance  and  attitude, 
but  it  was  not  asked,  for  a  man  appeared  at  the  entrance 
of  the  alcove. 

"  I  have  been  seeking  you,  Captain  Ellerey,"  he  said. 
"  Her  Majesty  commands  your  attendance.  Will  you  come 
with  me?" 

Ellerey  rose  at  once. 

"  You  will  pardon  me,  Countess.  I  must  make  another 
opportunity  of  quarrelling  with  you  for  laughing  at  me. 
Shall  I  take  you  back  to  the  ball-room  ?  " 

"No,  thank  you.  I  am  tired,  and  will -stay  here." 
And  with  a  low  bow  Ellerey  left  her. 

The  fact  that  he  had  been  sent  for  and  the  probable 
meaning  of  that  interview,  did  not  take  first  place  in  Frina 
Mavrodin's  thoughts  for  a  time.  She  was  considering 
Ellerey 's  answer  to  her  question,  trying  to  understand  it 


86  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

when  viewed  in  the  light  of  the  Princess's  declaration. 
Maritza  could  only  have  intended  her  to  understand  one 
thing,  and  to-night  she  had  endeavored  to  surprise  the 
truth  from  Captain  Ellerey.  Had  she  succeeded  in  learn- 
ing anything  ?  Surely  in  such  a  casual  meeting  no  lasting 
impression  could  have  been  formed,  and  yet  love  works 
in  sudden  and  inexplicable  fashion  sometimes.  The 
Princess  seemed  to  have  treasured  the  memory  of  that 
meeting;  Ellerey  admitted  that  it  was  the  cause  of  his 
coming  to  Sturatzberg.  Frina  Mavrodin  remembered, 
as  though  they  had  been  noted  down  in  one  continuous 
story,  everything  Captain  Ellerey  had  ever  said  to  her, 
and  the  manner  in  which  he  had  said  it.  She  had  allowed 
herself  to  indulge  in  a  dream,  which  had  had  naught  but 
pleasure  in  it  until  the  Princess  had  looked  into  her  eyes 
in  so  strange  a  fashion ;  and  now  that  she  had  sought  the 
truth  from  Ellerey  himself,  she  was  still  left  in  doubt,  in 
a  half-Waking  uncertainty,  which  had  a  sense  of  pain  in  it. 

It  was  some  time  before  the  thought  that  Ellerey  was 
with  the  Queen  came  uppermost  in  her  mind,  urging  her 
to  be  on  the  alert.  She  was  in  the  act  of  rising  when  a 
shadow  fell  upon  her,  and  Lord  Cloverton  stood  in  the 
entrance. 

"Alone,  Countess  1 "  he  exclaimed.  "  What  great  event 
has  happened  in  Sturatzberg?" 

"  None  that  I  am  aware  of,  my  lord." 

"And  yet  you  are  alone.  It  is  so  rare  a  circumstance 
that  you  must  pardon  my  astonishment." 

"  Even  such  a  frivolous  person  as  I  am  welcomes  soli- 
tude sometimes,"  she  answered. 

"  I  would  not  allow  my  dearest  friend  to  so  malign  you, 
Countess,"  said  the  Ambassador,  seating  himself  beside 
her.  "  I  expected  to  find  Captain  Ellerey  with  you." 

"  You  wish  to  speak  with  him  ?  " 


THE  TIME  ARRIVES  87 

"Yes,  but  it  can  wait,"  answered  Lord  Cloverton  care- 
lessly. "  Success  is  the  result  of  skilfully  seizing  opportu- 
nities, and  in  finding  you  alone  an  opportunity  comes  to 
me.  Will  you  spare  me  a  moment  ?  " 

She  bowed  a  smiling  acquiescence  as  though  the  ques- 
tion were  unnecessary. 

"  Like  me,  Countess,  I  am  sure  you  take  little  interest 
in  uninteresting  people,  therefore  you  must  have  found 
this  Captain  Ellerey  interesting.  So  have  I — so  interesting, 
indeed,  that  I  have  wondered  why  he  came  to  Wallaria.  " 

"  He  has  not  given  me  so  much  of  his  confidence  as  you 
appear  to  imagine,  my  lord." 

"  He  has  not  told  you !  Ah,  then  I  will,  in  confidence, 
Countess,  in  confidence." 

"I  understand,  and  I  shall  respect  it,"  she  answered, 
eager  to  learn  what  explanation  the  Ambassador  would 
give. 

"  He  had  enemies  in  England  who  made  certain  charges 
against  him  which  were  absolutely  without  foundation; 
but  so  skilfully  had  they  been  manipulated  that  Captain 
Ellerey  was  unable  to  prove  them  false.  His  nature  is  an 
impatient  one,  and  in  anger  he  turned  his  back  upon 
England  and  came  to  Sturatzberg.  In  Wallaria  there 
were  possibilities.  I  can  understand  his  action,  Countess; 
it  was  a  natural  one  in  a  man  of  his  independent  character, 
but  it  was  foolish.  It  gave  credence  to  the  tales  which  had 
been  circulated.  Now,  Countess,  influential  friends  have 
taken  up  his  case,  and  he  ought  to  go  back  to  England." 

"  But  why  tell  this  to  me,  my  lord  ?  " 

"A  woman's  persuasion,  Countess,  is  all-powerful." 

She  looked  at  him  quickly. 

"  But  you  have  told  me  this  in  confidence.  How  can 
I  approach  the  subject  and  yet  keep  confidence  ?  " 

"  You  flatter  me  most  delicately  by  asking  my  advice  on 


88  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

such  a  matter.  Is  it  not  true  that  a  woman  can  frame  her 
questions  so  that  a  man  is  compelled  to  answer  ?  " 

"Some  men,  perhaps." 

"  Captain  Ellerey,  I  think,"  said  the  Ambassador. 

"Under  certain  conditions." 

"  Exactly,"  he  answered. 

"When  the  questions  are  asked  by  one  particular 
woman,"  she  said. 

"  You  have  caught  my  meaning  exactly,  Countess." 

"  But  as  it  happens,  Lord  Cloverton,  I  am  not  the  one 
particular  woman." 

The  Ambassador  turned  a  smiling  countenance  toward 
her. 

"  My  dear  lady,  you  do  yourself  a  gross  injustice." 

The  look  he  expected  to  find  in  her  face  he  did  not  see 
there.  He  had  believed  himself  possessed  of  one  secret. 
He  suddenly  perceived  that  he  had  possibly  discovered 
another — one  that  might  be  even  more  certainly  used  to 
his  own  advantage,  and  he  made  haste  to  turn  it  to  account. 

"  If  I  am  mistaken,"  he  said  slowly,  "  Captain  Ellerey 
sinks  in  my  estimation  as  a  stone  in  water.  If  I  am  wrong 
your  displeasure  should  urge  his  return  to  England,  for  he 
is  no  fit  cavalier  for  Countess  Mavrodin.  He  would  be  a 
mere  adventurer  to  whom  every  woman  is  a  pleasant  play- 
thing— one  whose  honor  is  for  barter  to  the  highest  bidder. 
Such  men  may  well  be  advised  to  return  to  their  native 
land." 

"As  I  am  not  the  one  particular  woman  so  am  I  not 
a  plaything,  my  lord.  Has  your  philosophy  no  position 
which  a  woman  may  occupy  between  the  two  ?  " 

"  In  this  case  I  think  not." 

"Such  a  small  position  as  friendship,  for  instance," 
she  said,  rising.  "  Captain  Ellerey  and  I  are  fast  friends." 

"  1  hardly  know  whether  I  can  congratulate  you,"  said 


THE  TIME  ARRIVES  89 

Lord  Cloverton,  rising,  too,  and  showing  no  sign  of  annoy- 
ance or  recognition  of  defeat. 

"You  will  pardon  me,  but  I  fear  I  may  have  been 
missed,"  and  then  as  they  passed  into  the  ball-room  he 
went  on,  "  I  will  respect  your  confidence,  but  may  I  suggest 
that  your  knowledge  of  Captain  Ellerey's  affairs  may  be 
useful  to  him  ?  Why  not  advise  him  yourself  ?  At  present 
he  is  with  the  Queen ;  when  I  see  him  again  I  will  tell  him 
that  you  wish  to  speak  to  him." 

"I  have  already  given  him  my  advice,  Countess.  I 
thought  to  do  him  a  service  by  sending  him  a  more  power- 
ful advocate."  And  the  Ambassador  left  her  and  went 
quickly  toward  the  vestibule.  As  she  turned,  Monsieur 
De  Froilette  bowed  low  to  her;  he  too  was  hastening 
toward  the  vestibule. 

When  Desmond  Ellerey  had  followed  the  messenger 
across  the  ball-room,  his  guide  suddenly  paused  and  said 
in  a  low  tone: 

"  Her  Majesty  is  in  her  private  apartment,  and  I  am 
instructed  to  take  you  there.  Will  you  come  with  me  this 
way?" 

He  turned  from  the  ballroom  and  led  Ellerey  along  a 
corridor  and  through  a  door,  which  he  locked  after  him. 
They  passed  up  one  corridor  and  down  another  for  a  little 
distance,  and  then  ushering  him  into  an  ante-room,  his 
guide  left  him  there  while  he  went  to  inform  the  Queen  of 
his  arrival.  In  a  few  moments  he  returned,  and,  holding 
open  a  door,  bid  him  enter. 

The  Queen  was  alone,  seated  by  a  table  at  which  she 
had  been  writing.  Ellerey  approached  her  and  bent  over 
her  hand. 

"  The  time  has  come,  Captain  Ellerey,"  she  said.  "  You 
are  ready?" 

"  I  am  only  waiting  your  Majesty's  commands." 


90  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"You  have  been  sent  once  or  twice,  Captain  Ellerey, 
to  dislodge  a  certain  brigand  called  Vasilici  from  his  fast- 
nesses in  the  mountains,  and  have  experienced  disappoint- 
ment perhaps  in  not  finding  him." 

"That  is  so,  your  Majesty." 

"It  was  never  intended  that  you  should  find  him," 
she  answered.  "  For  months  past  loyal  subjects  have  been 
gathering  in  the  mountains  with  Vasilici,  waiting  for  our 
word  to  revolt  against  the  thraldom  this  country  is  under 
to  foreign  nations.  In  the  future  it  is  for  us  to  dictate, 
not  to  obey.  His  Majesty,  watched  as  he  is,  cannot  act 
freely,  so  the  duty  devolves  on  me.  It  is  for  you  to  proclaim 
that  we  in  Sturatzberg  are  ready,  by  carrying  a  token  to 
Vasilici,  which  I  will  give  you,  and  which  you  must  guard 
with  your  life,  Captain  Ellerey.  The  mission  with  which 
you  are  intrusted  is  a  hazardous  one.  Faction  is  rife  in 
the  country,  and  spies  lurk  in  every  corner  of  it.  Even 
now  there  may  be  some  setting  out  upon  the  road  to  bar 
your  way  to  Vasilici.  But  for  the  trusted  bearer  of  this 
token  await  high  honor  and  great  reward." 

"  Even  for  a  foreigner  ?  "  asked  Ellerey. 

"You  are  no  more  one,  Captain  Ellerey.  This  is  the 
land  of  your  adoption,  and  by  this  service  are  you  not 
proving  yourself  a  worthy  son  ?" 

"Your  Majesty  commands.  I  am  content  to  trust  to 
your  Majesty  for  my  reward;  but  one  thing  troubles  me." 

"What  is  that?" 

"  The  revolution — for  such  it  must  be — will  heat  men's 
blood  against  the  foreigner.  May  I  ask  consideration  for 
Lord  Cloverton  and  his  staff  at  the  British  Embassy  ?  " 

"  You  have  our  word  that  no  harm  shall  come  to  them. 
We  are  not  fighting  Embassies,  but  the  riff-raff  which 
has  come  into  our  land — the  adventurers  who  bear  them- 
selves as  though  they  were  our  masters.  We  have  been 


THE  TIME  ARRIVES  91 

under  an  iron  flail  from  the  palace  to  the  hovel.  It  is 
against  this  subjection  that  we  rebel.  You  are  prepared 
to  fight  and  win  with  us." 

"  I  am  waiting  for  the  token,  your  Majesty." 

"  I  love  a  man  of  few  words,"  she  said;  "  and  as  surely 
as  success  will  come,  I  pledge  my  word  that  the  ribbon  of 
the  Golden  Lion  of  Sturatzberg  shall  be  yours,  Captain 
Ellerey,  and  with  it  revenue  sufficient  to  bear  it  fittingly. 
This  is  the  token,"  she  went  on,  baring  her  arm,  on  which, 
just  above  the  elbow,  was  a  bracelet  of  iron,  a  chain  joining 
together  four  medallions.  "It  is  an  ancient  treasure  of 
Wallaria,  worn,  it  is  said,  by  savage  kings  in  this  country 
before  ever  the  Romans  had  trampled  it  with  their  all- 
conquering  legions.  I  will  seal  it  in  this  box,  which  you 
must  guard  with  your  life  and  bear  to  Vasilici.  Seeing  it, 
he  will  welcome  you  as  he  would  ourself .  With  him  return 
triumphantly  to  Sturatzberg,  and  if  a  rabble  of  rebellious 
soldiery,  led  away  by  traitors  who  are  among  us,  stand 
in  your  way,  I  can  trust  Captain  Ellerey's  sword  to  cut  a 
path  through  it.  Will  you  unclasp  the  bracelet  for  me  ? 
the  fastening  is  difficult." 

As  she  held  out  her  arm  the  door  opened,  and  the  ser- 
vant who  had  fetched  Ellerey  entered. 

"Monsieur  De  Froilette,  your  Majesty,  has  just  in- 
formed me  that  his  Majesty  is  on  his  way  here." 

For  one  moment  the  Queen  stood  undecided. 

"  Do  not  unfasten  it,  Captain  Ellerey,"  she  said,  laying 
a  detaining  hand  upon  his.  "  To-morrow,  some  time  before 
midnight,  it  shall  be  sent  to  you.  Not  to  your  lodging, 
that  might  be  dangerous.  Wait  for  it  at  the  Toison  d'Or. 
It  is  an  inn  of  no  repute  in  the  Bergenstrasse,  which  runs 
toward  the  Southern  Gate.  This  same  messenger  who 
came  to  you  to-night  shall  bring  it,  sealed  as  I  have  said. 
Then  make  all  speed  to  Vasilici,  who  lies  in  the  neighbor- 


92  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

hood  of  the  Drekner  Pass.  Now  go.  Quickly.  He  will 
show  you  the  way." 

It  was  by  a  different  way  they  returned. 

"  The  Toison  d'Or  about  midnight,"  said  his  guide  as 
he  stood  to  open  a  door,  "and  monsieur  would  do  well 
to  leave  his  lodging  by  the  Western  Gate  as  soon  as  he  has 
prepared  for  the  journey.  This  passage  will  take  monsieur 
to  the  vestibule." 

As  he  went  toward  the  staircase,  determined  to  leave 
the  palace  at  once,  Ellerey  saw  Baron  Petrescu  leaning 
against  the  marble  balustrade  talking  to  one  of  his  com- 
panions. There  were  certain  men  at  Court  who  appeared 
to  follow  the  Baron  like  his  shadow.  He  was  watching 
all  those  who  left  the  palace  as  carefully  as  on  a  former 
occasion  he  had  scrutinized  all  those  who  entered  it,  and 
again  Ellerey's  appearance  seemed  to  release  him  from 
his  labors.  With  a  whispered  word  to  his  companion  he 
moved  hastily  among  the  people  who  were  crossing  to  the 
stairs,  and  contriving  to  jostle  Ellerey,  canie  to  a  standstill 
directly  in  front  of  him. 

"I  am  waiting,  monsieur,"  he  said. 

"For  what?" 

"Your  apology." 

"  You  jest  with  me.     I  have  none  to  make." 

"  Monsieur  is  slow  to  appreciate,"  said  the  Baron,  with 
a  curl  of  his  lip.  "He  forgets  that  he  has  stared  most 
insufferably  at  me  on  many  occasions,  and  that  now  he 
attempts  to  bar  my  progress." 

"I  appreciate  that  you  wish  to  quarrel  with  me," 
Ellerey  answered  bluntly,  "  but  I  am  in  no  mood  for  quar- 
relling. Will  monsieur  oblige  by  standing  out  of  my  way, 
or  must  I  be  at  the  trouble  of  throwing  him  down  the 
stairs?" 

The  answer  came  quickly  and  was  to  the  point.     With 


THE  TIME  ARRIVES  93 

a  sudden  sweep  of  his  arm  Baron  Petrescu  struck  Ellerey 
sharply  across  the  face  with  his  glove. 

Perhaps  there  was  something  in  Ellerey's  expression 
which  made  the  Baron's  companion  step  hastily  to  his 
side.  Experience  may  have  taught  him  that  Englishmen 
have  a  strange  habit  of  punishing  such  insults  on  the  spot 
with  a  total  disregard  of  all  formalities.  Perhaps  it  was 
his  action  which  prevented  Ellerey  carrying  out  his  inten- 
tion. He  drew  himself  up  to  his  full  height,  the  air  whist- 
ling through  his  clenched  teeth  as  he  caught  his  breath, 
and  then  he  bowed  slightly  to  the  Baron,  who  turned  away, 
leaving  his  companion  to  settle  the  matter. 

"  Monsieur  will  give  me  the  name  of  a  friend,  so  that 
we  may  arrange  for  this  affair  to-morrow." 

"  Why  not  to-night  ?     I  never  sleep  upon  my  quarrels. " 

"Impossible,  monsieur." 

"  Is  not  the  choice  with  me  ?  " 

"  Certainly,  but— 

"  Then  I  say  to-night,"  Ellerey  answered.  "  There  was 
a  moon  when  I  entered  the  palace." 

The  man  shrugged  his  shoulders,  disgusted  at  the  utter 
barbarity  of  these  Englishmen. 

"  The  name  of  your  friend,  then,  monsieur  ?  " 

Ellerey  was  in  a  difficulty.  He  could  think  of  no  one 
to  whom  he  was  desirous  of  intrusting  an  affair  of  this  kind. 
Before  he  could  reply,  however,  he  felt  a  touch  upon  his 
arm. 

"  Can  I  be  of  service  ?  " 

The  speaker  was  an  Englishman  and  a  stranger  to  him. 

"  You  will  be  doing  me  a  great  favor,  monsieur,  and  I 
thank  you." 

The  stranger  at  once  went  aside  with  the  Baron's  friend. 
In  a  few  minutes  he  returned. 

"  Come,  Captain  Ellerey.     It  is  in  half  an  hour's  time.'* 


94  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

And  with  an  assenting  inclination  of  his  head  Ellerey  went 
slowly  down  the  stairs  with  his  companion. 

As  he  did  so  a  woman  came  from  a  corner,  and  leaning 
over  the  balustrade,  watched  the  descending  figures.  Her 
face  was  pale,  and  her  lips  trembled. 

"I  have  sought  you  for  my  promised  dance,"  said  a 
voice  behind  her.  "What  is  interesting  the  Countess  so 
much?" 

"  I  was  thinking  that  the  moon  will  be  setting  shortly," 
she  answered  absent-mindedly.  "  In  an  hour  it  will  be  dark 
or  very  nearly." 

"Well,  Countess,  what  can  that  matter?"  said  the 
Austrian  attache. 

She  looked  at  him  vaguely  for  a  moment,  thinking  of 
the  man  who  had  just  descended  the  stairs.  Then  she 
said  with  manifest  effort  and  a  faint  smile  as  she  laid  her 
hand  upon  the  attache's  arm : 

" No,  indeed;  what  can  it  matter — to  me  ? " 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE   IRON   BRACELET 

WHEN  Lord  Cloverton  left  Frina  Mavrodin  he  hurried 
to  the  vestibule  and  sent  a  message  to  the  King,  asking 
for  an  immediate  and  private  audience,  and  De  Froilette 
saw  the  Ambassador  go  to  the  King's  private  apartment 
soon  afterward.  De  Froilette  knew  that  this  sudden 
audience  could  only  relate  to  one  of  two  matters — either 
Lord  Cloverton  had  made  some  discovery  respecting  the 
Princess  Maritza,  or  else  he  was  aware  that  Ellerey  was 
with  the  Queen  and  was  about  to  make  some  move  which 
would  defeat  any  conspiracy  which  might  be  in  progress. 
That  the  Ambassador  had  any  idea  of  the  real  state  of 
affairs,  De  Froilette  did  not  believe.  He  did  not  go  at  once 
to  warn  the  Queen.  It  was  only  as  the  King  and  the 
Minister  were  leaving  the  private  apartments  that  he  real- 
ized the  danger. 

Lord  Cloverton  was  troubled.  The  various  pieces  of 
the  puzzle  which  he  had  fitted  into  places  to  his  satis- 
faction suddenly  seemed  inadequate  to  fill  the  places  he 
had  assigned  to  them.  To-night  he  had  discovered  a  depth 
in  Frina  Mavrodin  the  existence  of  which  he  had  never  sus- 
pected. She  had  fenced  him  with  his  own  weapons  in  a 
manner  he  was  little  accustomed  to,  and  he  had  signally 
failed  to  make  use  of  her  in  the  way  he  desired.  True,  she 
had  told  him  that  Ellerey  was  with  the  Queen,  but  she  had 
mentioned  it  as  a  circumstance  of  small  importance.  Was 
it?  Was  the  casual  information  meant  to  mislead  him? 


96  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

This  frivolous  woman  was  beginning  to  take  a  new  position 
in  the  Ambassador's  calculations,  and  he  began,  almost 
unconsciously,  to  look  for  some  large  space  in  the  intricate 
puzzle  which  she  might  possibly  fill.  He  had  imagined 
that  love  linked  her  to  Desmond  Ellerey,  and  he  was  appar- 
ently mistaken ;  it  was  only  friendship,  and  such  friendship 
might  mean  anything. 

He  spoke  to  Captain  Ward,  telling  him  to  be  particu- 
larly observant  of  Ellerey,  and  then  went  to  the  King.  It 
was  unusual  with  him,  but  for  once  he  had  not  determined 
what  course  of  action  to  take  even  when  he  entered  the 
King's  room. 

"  What  important  twist  have  affairs  taken,  my  lord  ?  " 
asked  the  King. 

"  It  is  to  prevent  any  twist  that  I  ventured  to  ask  for  this 
audience,  your  Majesty.  I  am  forced  to  refer  again  to  a 
subject  which,  on  a  former  occasion,  gave  you  some  dis- 
pleasure. You  must  pardon  my  importunity,  since  I  be- 
lieve the  danger  is  imminent." 

"I  am  all  attention,"  the  King  answered,  conscious  of 
the  slight  embarrassment  there  was  in  Lord  Cloverton's 
manner. 

"  As  you  are  aware,"  the  Ambassador  went  on  slowly, 
"  I  have  always  considered  many  of  the  plots  which  from 
time  to  time  become  apparent  in  Sturatzberg  of  small  im- 
portance. I  have,  on  the  other  hand,  consistently  warned 
your  Majesty  of  the  danger  which  might  at  any  time  mani- 
fest itself  in  a  sudden  development  of  the  tactics  of  the  brig- 
ands in  the  mountains.  Their  chief,  Vasilici,  may  be  a 
chief  only  in  name,  and  it  is  certain  that  during  the  past  few 
months  many  have  joined  him  who  are  not  brigands  in  any 
sense  of  the  word,  and  who,  I  conceive,  are  merely  using 
this  outlaw  as  a  convenient  cloak  to  their  wider  and  more 
sinister  intentions." 


THE  IRON  BRACELET  97 

"  Certainly  you  have  always  been  an  alarmist  in  this 
matter,"  said  the  King,  with  a  smile.  "  Whatever  their 
intentions  may  be,  the  fast  remains  that  they  have  always 
fled  at  the  approach  of  a  handful  of  troops." 

"  Which  is  rather  unnatural,  it  seems  to  me,"  Lord  Clo- 

verton  answered  quickly.     "Whatever  else  he  may  lack, 

!  your  brigand  is  not  deficient  in  courage,  and  it  must  be 

remembered  that  the  troops  sent  against  these  men  have 

never  succeeded  in  finding  a  trace  of  their  spoils." 

"  Do  you  suggest  that  they  have  been  warned  of  the  ex- 
peditions sent  against  them  ?  " 

"I  think  it  probable." 

"  By  whom,  my  lord  ?  " 

**  We  might  laugh  at  the  danger,  your  Majesty,  could  I 
answer  that  question,"  replied  the  Ambassador.  "  It  must 
be  remembered  that  there  are  many  in  Sturatzberg  who, 
while  personally  loyal  to  you,  are  not  satisfied  with  your 
foreign  policy ;  who  believe  that  Wallaria  is  too  much  under 
the  direction  of  the  greater  European  Powers,  and  would 
help  you  to  emancipation  in  spite  of  yourself." 

"  A  judgment  which  is  the  outcome  of  ignorance,  Lord 
Cloverton." 

"  I  think  so,  but  it  is  not  reasonable  to  suppose  that  they 
do,"  returned  the  Ambassador.  "Such  a  feeling  is  preva- 
lent in  all  grades  of  society  in  Sturatzberg,  from  her 
Majesty  Queen  Elena,  down  to  the  beggars  in  the  Alt- 
strasse." 

"  The  Queen,  my  lord ! "  exclaimed  the  King  sharply. 

"  I  do  not  speak  hastily,  your  Majesty,  Queen  Elena 
has  all  those  attributes  which  go  to  make  a  great  ruler.  She 
has  courage,  diplomacy,  tact,  and  deep  in  her  heart  lies  a 
living,  beating  interest  in  her  country's  welfare." 

"  Such  praise  seems  merely  the  mask  for  an  accusation, 
my  lord.     I  must  request  you  to  be  more  explicit." 
7 


98  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  To  be  so,  your  Majesty,  was  my  reason  for  asking  for 
this  interview.  I  humbly  protest,  however,  that  I  make  no 
accusation  in  the  ordinary  sense  of  the  word.  Her  Maj- 
esty's conception  of  her  country's  welfare  is,  I  venture  to 
think,  an  erroneous  one,  although  I  imagine  her  desire  is 
only  to  help  forward  a  policy  which  she  believes  is  near  to 
your  heart." 

"  Enough,  Lord  Cloverton,  let  us  get  to  the  root  of  the 
matter  quickly.  Our  absence  will  be  remarked  and  occa- 
sion comment." 

The  King  spoke  irritably,  and  the  Ambassador  felt  the 
delicacy  and  difficulty  of  the  position.  He  was  not  quite 
sure  of  his  ground.  He  was  rather  in  the  position  of  one 
who  draws  a  bow  at  a  venture,  and  yet  he  had  a  shrewd 
suspicion  in  which  direction  the  mark  lay.  Of  one  thing 
he  was  certain — the  danger;  and  he  felt  justified  in  taking 
any  risk  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  trouble. 

"  To-night  the  Queen  has  given  a  special  audience  to  a 
countryman  of  mine,  a  Captain  Desmond  Ellerey  in  your 
Majesty's  service,"  said  the  Ambassador,  speaking  quietly 
and  concisely.  "  This  Captain  Ellerey  is  a  man  of  courage 
and  resource,  in  a  way  an  adventurer,  prepared  for  any 
hazardous  enterprise  if  he  is  once  convinced  that  it  is  in  the 
service  of  his  adopted  country.  I  believe  the  Queen  in- 
tends to  send  him  upon  some  secret  mission  which,  although 
she  may  be  ignorant  of  the  fact,  will  militate  against  your 
Majesty,  and  against  your  peaceful  policy." 

"  An  accusation  of  treason ! "  exclaimed  the  King.  "  You 
go  too  far,  my  lord." 

"  I  make  no  such  accusation ;  I  only  fear  an  act  which 
may  lead  to  treason  in  others,  and  seek  to  prevent  it." 

"  Why  not  question  Captain  Ellerey  ?  " 

"  I  have  done  so,  but  to  no  purpose." 

"  I  will  question  him,"  said  the  King. 


THE  IRON  BRACELET  99 

"  Why  not  question  her  Majesty  ?  "  Lord  Cloverton  sug- 
gested. "  Captain  Ellerey  is  with  her  at  this  moment ." 

"  You  shall  go  with  me,  Lord  Cloverton,"  said  the  King. 
"Since  you  have  such  suspicions  it  is  no  time  for  secret 
questionings.  Her  Majesty  shall  hear  your  accusation  and 
shall  answer  it." 

The  Ambassador  bowed.  The  King's  decision  pleased 
him.  If  he  had  not  succeeded  in  raising  the  King's  suspi- 
cion, he  had  raised  his  anger,  which  would  serve  the  same 
purpose,  and  Lord  Cloverton  still  held  the  trump  card  in 
his  hand. 

The  moment  Ellerey  had  left  her,  the  Queen  glanced 
hastily  around  the  room.  She  slipped  the  box  she  had 
shown  him  underneath  some  papers  in  her  drawer,  and 
then  with  a  smile  reseated  herself,  and,  drawing  paper 
toward  her,  she  rapidly  began  to  write  a  note  to  Frina 
Mavrodin. 

She  rose  quickly  with  a  little  gesture  of  surprise  when 
the  King  and  the  English  Ambassador  were  announced. 
The  King  strode  into  the  room,  anger  still  in  his  face,  but 
Lord  Cloverton  came  to  a  halt  near  the  door. 

"  Your  Majesty  is  welcome,"  said  the  Queen,  "  but  you 
look  troubled.  I  fear  I  spend  too  little  time  helping  to 
share  your  Majesty's  difficulties." 

"To  defeat  intrigues  is  my  hourly  occupation,  Elena, 
but  there  are  some  intrigues,  or  whispers  of  them,  which 
call  for  special  treatment ;  they  are  not  to  be  met  by  coun- 
terplot, but  by  open  speech  and  outspoken  denial." 

"  Am  I  accused  ?  "  the  Queen  asked. 

"  Lord  Cloverton  has  seen  fit  to  warn  me." 

"  Of  what  ?  "  she  asked  innocently,  looking  toward  the 
Ambassador. 

The  King  hesitated  for  a  moment,  almost  as  though  he 
wished  Lord  Cloverton  would  speak. 


100  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  To-night  you  have  received  Captain  Ellerey  in  private 
audience,"  he  said  after  a  moment's  pause. 

"I  have." 

"  May  I  know  for  what  purpose  ?  " 

The  Queen  looked  first  at  her  husband,  then  at  the 
Ambassador,  her  glance  lingering  on  the  latter  for  a 
moment. 

"  I  cannot  tell  you  why,"  she  answered  slowly.  "  It  was 
a  matter  of  no  great  importance,  but  it  was  essentially  pri- 
vate. I  would  be  unfair  to  Captain  Ellerey  to  speak  of  it." 

It  may  have  been  the  flicker  of  triumph  upon  the  Am- 
bassador's face  which  urged  the  King  on. 

"  We  expected  to  find  Captain  Ellerey  still  with  you." 

"  The  audience  was  a  short  one,"  was  the  answer. 

"  I  am  afraid  I  must  demand  to  know  its  purport,"  said 
the  King.  "  I  do  so  in  your  own  interests." 

"  You  wish  me  to  deny  some  accusation  Lord  Cloverton 
has  made  against  me.  I  tremble  lest  I  may  be  unable  to  do 
so.  Of  what  frivolity  do  I  stand  accused  ?  "  and  she  smiled 
at  the  Ambassador  with  an  innocent  expression  on  her  face 
pleading  for  lenient  judgment. 

"  Of  no  frivolity,"  said  the  King.  "  Lord  Cloverton  has 
suggested  that  you  have  despatched  this  Captain  Ellerey 
upon  some  secret  mission  to  the  enemies  of  our  country, 
seeking  to  do  us  a  service,  but  in  truth  jeopardizing  our  pol- 
icy of  peace,  perchance  our  throne.  In  substance,  my  lord, 
that  is  your  accusation,  I  think  ?  " 

"  That  is  so,"  returned  the  Ambassador. 

"  To  what  enemies  ?  "  asked  the  Queen,  after  a  pause. 

"  Is  there  any  need  to  particularize  ?  "  said  the  King  irri- 
tably. "  The  accusation  is  either  true  or  false." 

"It  is  false." 

The  denial  was  quietly  spoken,  but  an  angry  flush 
glowed  in  her  cheeks. 


THE  IRON  BRACELET  101 

"  By  your  Majesty's  leave,  such  an  accusation  should  be 
definite,  and  again  I  ask,  what  enemies  ?  " 

"  I  will  be  definite,"  said  Lord  Cloverton.  "  Doubtless 
you  have  not  considered  well " 

"  Be  direct,  too,  my  lord ;  what  enemies  ?  " 

"  I  will.  I  mean  those  enemies  who  are  in  communica- 
tion with  the  traitors  who  have  joined  the  brigand  Vasilici 
in  the  mountains." 

"You  accuse  me  of  holding  communication  with 
these  men  ?  " 

"  Your  Majesty  must  pardon  my  bluntness,  I  do." 

"  You  are  pardoned,  and  thanked  also,"  she  said  lightly. 
"Such  bluntness  comes  more  directly  at  the  heart  of  the 
matter  than  much  diplomacy,  and  is  more  easily  answered. 
I  deny  the  charge."  And  then,  turning  to  the  King,  she 
went  on :  "  For  my  own  protection  I  am  constrained  to  tell 
you  the  purpose  of  Captain  Ellercy's  visit  to  me.  He  has 
quickly  received  the  favor  of  one  of  the  ladies  of  our  Court, 
a  favor  for  which  I  am  in  some  measure  responsible.  When 
Captain  Ellerey  first  came  among  us,  he  furnished  us  with 
subject  for  jesting  by  declaring  that  no  woman  had  ever 
played  a  serious  part  in  his  life.  I  expressed  a  belief  that 
such  a  statement  would  rouse  feminine  enthusiasm  in 
Sturatzberg,  and  I  have  since  often  questioned  him 
whether  he  could  truthfully  repeat  the  declaration.  It 
was  a  jest,  but  seriousness  has  come  of  it.  Captain  Elle- 
rey's  ambition  has  flown  high,  even  to  the  Countess  Ma- 
vrodin.  Such  an  ambition  must  bring  him  bitter  enemies, 
in  numbers  like  leaves  in  autumn;  and  if  to-night  I  have 
persuaded  him  against  soaring  so  high,  if  I  have  made 
Frina  Mavrodin's  position  in  Sturatzberg  plainer  to  him 
and  endeavored  privately  to  warn  him  against  such  an 
ambition,  have  I  done  aught  to  pander  to  my  country's 
enemies  or  to  jeopardize  your  Majesty's  throne  ?  " 


10S  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

The  question  was  asked  in  such  a  manner  as  to  make 
the  King  laugh. 

"No,  but  by  my  faith,  your  interference  may  have 
jeopardized  the  lady's  happiness.  Is  she  to  have  no 
voice  in  the  matter  ?  " 

"I  fear  she  is  somewhat  fascinated  by  Captain  Elle- 
rey,"  said  the  Queen  with  a  smile,  "but  such  a  thing  as 
marriage  is  not  to  be  thought  of.  Think  of  it.  Frina 
Mavrodin  and  a  Captain  of  Horse !  You  English  place 
no  limits  to  your  ambition,"  she  added,  turning  to  Lord 
Cloverton. 

"  Love  leaps  over  all  obstacles,"  said  the  King. 

But  her  Majesty  was  ready  with  arguments  to  prove 
that  the  affair  was  no  laughing  matter.  She  even  sug- 
gested that  such  a  marriage  might  have  a  political  signifi- 
cance, might  lead  to  complications  which  would  have 
serious  consequences,  even  to  some  revolution  such  as 
Lord  Cloverton  had  accused  her  of  fostering.  It  was  no 
laughing  matter  as  his  Majesty  would  make  it,  and  her 
interference  was  not  unnecessary,  but  intended  to  serve 
the  State.  Even  were  Captain  Ellerey  to  rise  to  great 
distinction,  she  argued,  such  an  alliance  would  still  be 
fraught  with  danger.  The  Countess  Mavrodin  with  her 
wealth,  with  her  prestige,  and  her  close  connection  with 
the  noblest  houses  in  Sturatzberg,  was  not  for  a  soldier  of 
fortune,  as,  at  the  best,  Captain  Ellerey  was.  She  became 
eloquent  upon  the  subject,  and  the  King  watched  the 
Ambassador,  a  smile  upon  his  lips,  in  anticipation  of  his 
discomfiture. 

"  I  had  already  begun  a  letter  to  the  Countess,"  said 
the  Queen,  taking  up  the  paper  on  which  she  had  written 
a  few  lines.  "I  want  to  show  her  plainly  the  impossi- 
bility of  such  a  thing.  Are  you  satisfied,  Lord  Cloverton  ?  " 

The  Ambassador  had  remained  standing  by  the  door 


THE  IRON  BRACELET  103 

and  had  not  taken  his  eyes  from  the  Queen  as  she  talked 
rapidly.  There  was  no  tell-tale  expression  on  his  face  to 
indicate  his  thoughts.  Now  he  advanced. 

"  Your  Majesty  thinks  then  that  this  folly,  so  far  as 
the  Countess  Mavrodin  is  concerned,  is  a  serious  matter  ?  " 

"  I  want  to  find  out." 

"  If  I  am  any  judge,  it  is,"  said  Lord  Cloverton, "  more 
serious  with  the  lady  than  with  the  man.  Her  words  went 
far  to  confirm  my  ideas  respecting  Captain  Ellerey,  her 
manner  betrayed  her  own  secret." 

"  You  have  spoken  to  her ! " 

"Yes,  only  to-night.  Your  Majesty  exaggerates  the 
political  significance  of  such  a  marriage,  I  feel  sure;  it 
would  make  enemies  for  Captain  Ellerey,  no  doubt,  but 
he  is  the  kind  of  man  who  is  very  capable  of  defending 
himself.  A  greatly  daring  Englishmen  is  an  awkward 
man  to  encounter,  and  there  seems  to  be  a  general  desire 
to  enlist  the  sympathy  of  Desmond  Ellerey.  That  has 
made  me  suspicious,  and  using  some  knowledge  which 
I  possess  concerning  him,  I  have  endeavored  to  make 
him  apply  for  leave  to  return  to  England." 

"  To  save  him  from  the  Countess  ? "  said  the  Queen. 

"No,  your  Majesty;  to  prevent  his  being  drawn  into 
a  plot  which  seeks  to  overthrow  the  present  government 
of  this  country." 

"  Is  there  such  a  plot  ?  "  she  asked  innocently. 

"  A  dozen  have  existed  ever  since  I  came  to  the  throne," 
said  the  King.  The  Ambassador's  persistency  made  him 
angry. 

"Hiding  themselves  in  holes  like  hunted  vermin," 
Lord  Cloverton  returned  sharply,  "afraid  to  strike, 
afraid  to  be  seen,  with  no  plan  of  action  ready,  and  alto- 
gether futile.  I  do  not  speak  of  such  plots  as  these,  but 
of  one  particular  plot,  whose  ramifications  spread  and 


104       .  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

grow  from  end  to  end  of  Wallaria,  penetrating  to  the  very 
heart  of  the  nation  as  surely  as  tree  roots  push  their  way 
to  water.  The  head  of  it  looks  up  watchfully  from  the 
hidden  intrenchments  on  the  mountains  at  intervals,  waiting 
for  the  moment  to  strike.  Anxiously  is  it  waiting  now." 

"For  what?"  cried  the  King.  "In  heaven's  name, 
for  what,  Lord  Cloverton  ?  " 

"  For  the  token  her  Majesty  delivered  to  Captain  Elle- 
rey  to-night." 

A  profound  silence  followed  this  deliberate  accusa- 
tion. So  unflinchingly  was  it  made,  so  evident  was  it 
that  the  Ambassador  had  some  knowledge  which  he  had 
not  divulged,  that  the  King  found  no  words  to  utter.  He 
looked  helplessly  at  the  Queen  like  a  man  who  has  received 
a  blow  which  has  dazed  him  for  the  time  being.  The 
Ambassador's  knowledge  startled  the  Queen,  too,  but  she 
did  not  shrink  before  his  steady  scrutiny.  She  was  the 
first  to  break  the  silence. 

"  I  gave  no  such  token,"  she  said. 

Lord  Cloverton  started  slightly  at  being  given  the 
lie  so  directly.  What  subterfuge  was  a  woman  not  capable 
of? 

"You  have  your  answer,  my  lord,"  said  the  King, 
moving  toward  his  wife. 

The  Ambassador  bowed.  He  could  hardly  pursue 
the  matter  further  unless  the  King  assisted  him,  and  he 
turned  to  leave  the  room. 

"  You  are  not  satisfied  ?  "  said  the  King  sternly. 

"  No,  your  Majesty." 

"  What  proof  can  you  have  ?  What  was  the  token  ?  " 

Lord  Cloverton  turned  quickly.  It  was  the  very 
question  he  had  hoped  for. 

"A  sacred  treasure  of  Sturatzberg,  the  iron  bracelet 
her  Majesty  is  accustomed  to  wear  upon  her  arm." 


THE  IRON  BRACELET  105 

Again  there  was  silence,  and,  set  as  his  face  was,  the 
mask  was  insufficient  to  hide  the  Ambassador's  excite- 
ment. The  Queen  stood  for  a  moment  quite  conscious 
of  the  dramatic  effect  of  the  silent  pause,  and  then  she  made 
three  rapid  strides  toward  the  Ambassador.  With  a 
sudden  sweep  of  her  right  hand  she  ripped  open  the  left 
sleeve  of  her  gown  from  wrist  to  shoulder  and  thrust  out 
her  arm  to  him. 

"I  demand  your  apology,  Lord  Cloverton." 
She  stood  imperiously  before  him,  looking  down  at 
him.  Fire  was  in  her  eyes,  an  angry  flush  upon  her 
cheeks,  triumph  in  look  and  gesture.  It  would  have 
gone  hard  with  any  subject  who  had  dared  to  accuse  her. 
The  Ambassador  was  obliged  to  murmur  his  apology, 
for,  tightly  clasped  upon  the  gleaming  white  and  rounded 
arm,  was  the  bracelet  of  iron. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

THE   DUEL 

THE  aspect  of  the  night  had  changed  when  Ellerey  and 
his  companion  left  the  palace.  Fleecy  clouds  raced  across 
the  sky,  veiling  the  face  of  the  moon  at  intervals,  and  mak- 
ing her  light  fitful  and  uncertain.  The  air  struck  cold 
after  the  warmth  within,  but  beyond  drawing  his  cloak 
a  little  closer  round  him,  Desmond  Ellerey  seemed  indif- 
ferent to  the  night  and  to  the  business  he  had  in  hand. 
He  asked  no  questions,  and  with  his  eyes  bent  on  the  ground 
followed  his  companion  mechanically.  The  cause  of  the 
quarrel  interested  him  more  than  the  issue  of  it.  Why  had 
Baron  Petrescu  drawn  him  into  this  duel?  It  had  ob- 
viously been  carefully  planned,  and  the  insult  deliberately 
given  at  a  moment  when  Ellerey  was  least  desirous  of 
placing  his  life  in  jeopardy.  He  could  only  assume  that 
her  Majesty's  schemes  were,  to  some  extent  at  least,  known 
to  the  Baron,  and  that  having  other  interests  to  serve,  he 
was  bent  on  incapacitating  him  from  performing  the 
mission  he  had  undertaken.  That  the  Baron  had  any 
personal  quarrel  with  him  he  did  not  believe. 

Ellerey's  companion,  on  the  other  hand,  was  inter- 
ested in  the  night.  Each  time  the  moonlight  grew  pale, 
or  died  out  altogether  for  a  moment,  he  looked  at  the 
sky  and  glanced  quickly  at  Ellerey.  He  was  the  more 
excited  of  the  two. 

"  This  is  a  treacherous  light  for  our  work,"  he  said, 


THE  DUEL  107 

presently.  "We  should  have  been  wiser  to  have  waited 
until  morning." 

"I  have  other  work  for  the  morning,"  Ellerey  an- 
swered. 

"  Are  you  a  skilful  swordsman  ?     The  Baron  is." 

"Is  he  ? "  said  Ellerey,  indifferently.  " I  have  some 
reputation  in  my  regiment,  but  doubtless  I  shall  be  a 
better  judge  of  my  skill  presently.  Where  do  we  go?" 

"To  tell  the  truth,  I  hardly  like  the  rendezvous," 
was  the  answer.  "It  is  a  stretch  of  sward  behind  an 
obscure  tavern  in  this  part  of  the  town.  Did  I  not  know 
the  Baron  to  be  an  honorable  man,  I  should  have  refused 
the  meeting  in  such  a  place.  Your  decision  to  fight 
to-night  made  our  choice  limited." 

Ellerey  stopped  and  looked  about  him.  They  had 
turned  from  a  side  street  into  a  narrow  thoroughfare 
with  tall,  dark  houses  on  either  side.  The  neighbor- 
hood looked  particularly  uninviting. 

"  Where  are  we  ? "  he  asked  suddenly,  remembering 
that  he  knew  nothing  of  his  companion,  and  that  by 
accepting  the  service  he  had  so  readily  offered  he  might 
be  quietly  stepping  into  a  trap.  Such  a  thing  would 
agree  very  well  with  the  rest  of  Baron  Petrescu's  behavior. 

"Beyond  knowing  that  we  are  in  the  purlieus  of  a 
lower  part  of  the  town  and  on  the  outskirts  of  the  city, 
I  am  as  puzzled  as  you  are." 

"You  seem  very  credulous  of  the  Baron's  honesty, 
monsieur,  to  agree  so  such  a  place  as  this.  Which  way 
now  ?  " 

"To  the  bottom  of  this  street,  where  we  are  to  wait. 
The  Baron's  friend  will  meet  us  there." 

"We  will  keep  the  appointment  so  far,"  said  Ellerey 
shortly.  "I  came  to  meet  Baron  Petrescu,  but  I  am  not 
minded  to  step  blindly  into  a  nest  of  cut-throats." 


108  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

He  strode  on  as  alert  now  as  he  had  been  indifferent 
before,  and  it  was  not  until  they  had  nearly  reached  the 
end  of  the  street  that  his  companion  spoke. 

"  One  moment,"  he  said.  "  By  that  light  yonder  we 
are  to  wait.  You  do  not  trust  me,  Captain  Ellerey?" 

"  I  have  not  said  so." 

"  That  admits  my  statement,"  was  the  answer.  "  Until 
a  moment  ago  that  aspect  of  the  case  had  not  presented 
itself  to  me,  but  on  reflection  I  can  hardly  wonder  at  your 
distrust.  The  circumstances  tell  against  me,  but  had  I 
been  in  any  conspiracy  against  you,  I  should  hardly  have 
called  your  attention  to  the  strangeness  of  the  rendezvous. 
I  have,  however,  a  better  guarantee  of  my  honesty :  I  am 
a  countryman  of  yours,  an  Englishman.  I  like  this  affair 
as  little  as  you  do;  but  if  you  are  minded  to  see  it  through, 
I  have  a  sword  and  the  will  to  fight  beside  you  should  there 
be  any  attempt  at  treachery.  There's  my  hand  upon  it." 

It  was  not  the  words,  but  the  manner  in  which  they 
were  spoken  that  convinced  Ellerey,  and  he  took  the 
hand  held  out  to  him. 

"Forgive  my  momentary  suspicion,"  he  said.  "We 
meet  by  the  light  yonder,  you  say." 

The  light  came  from  a  dim  lamp  in  an  upper  window. 
It  might  have  been  placed  there  as  a  signal,  or  some  poor 
seamstress,  in  the  struggle  for  a  livelihood,  might  be  ruin- 
ing her  health  and  sight  by  it.  It  must,  at  any  rate, 
have  been  very  constantly  there,  or  it  would  not  so  readily 
have  been  mentioned  to  mark  a  place  of  meeting.  As 
they  went  toward  it,  the  figures  of  two  men  became 
dimly  visible  standing  in  the  shadow  of  the  wall.  One 
advanced  to  meet  them,  and  addressed  himself  to  Ellerey 's 
companion. 

"  I  much  regret  this  unusual  mode  of  procedure,  but  it 
is  unavoidable  under  the  circumstances  and  in  view  of  your 


THE  DUEL  *     109 

friend's  decision  to  fight  to-night.  May  I  request  that  you 
will  follow  us  in  silence  ?  " 

The  other  man  moved  from  the  shadow.  It  was  Baron 
Petrescu;  and  going  to  the  house  which  was  next  to  that 
in  which  the  lamp  shone,  he  knocked  twice  at  the  door 
in  a  peculiar  manner  which  was  evidently  a  known  sum- 
mons to  those  within.  Some  considerable  time  elapsed 
before  the  summons  was  answered,  but  the  Baron  showed 
no  impatience,  and  this  manifest  knowledge  of  the  ways 
of  the  establishment  did  not  inspire  Ellerey  with  confi- 
dence. Once  within,  murder  and  concealment  of  the 
crime  might  be  easy.  Who  was  there  in  all  Sturatzberg 
to  know  that  he  had  ever  entered  this  house  ?  And  how 
many  were  there  in  the  wide  world  to  care  whether  he  ever 
left  it  ? 

Presently  the  door  opened  a  little  space,  and  a  shaggy 
head  was  thrust  out  in  a  truculent  manner.  Whether  the 
Baron  spoke  to  him,  or  whether  the  man  recognized  his 
visitor,  Ellerey  could  not  determine,  but  the  door  was 
opened  wide,  and  they  were  admitted  into  a  small,  ill- 
lighted  lobby.  The  entrance  was  a  private  one,  not  a 
usual  caf6  entrance,  but  the  smell  of  stale  liquor  and  smoke 
and  the  reek  of  highly  spiced  dishes  proved  that  the  caj& 
was  under  the  same  roof,  and  proclaimed  it  as  a  resort  of 
that  lower  stratum  of  society  which  loves  its  food  pungent 
and  highly  flavored.  That  there  was  such  silence  in  the 
house  was  surprising. 

"A  private  visit,  Theodor,"  said  the  Baron.  "We 
do  not  join  the  assembly  to-night.  Reassure  them,  and 
let  us  have  a  word  with  you." 

Theodor  opened  one  of  the  folding-doors  in  the  lobby, 
and  in  a  stentorian  voice  shouted  some  word,  which  Elle- 
rey did  not  catch.  Its  effect  was  magical.  Immediately 
there  arose  a  loud  hum  of  voices,  the  clinking  and  clatter 


110  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

of  innumerable  glasses  and  plates,  and  the  rattle  of  dice 
and  dominoes.  Then  Theodor  let  the  door  swing  to  again, 
muffling  the  sounds  of  this  living  hive,  and  led  the  way  into 
a  small  bare  room  at  the  side. 

The  Baron's  companion  now  became  the  spokesman. 

"  We  have  a  little  matter  to  settle,  Theodor,  a  private 
quarrel  which  does  concern  the  good  fellows  yonder,  and 
of  which  they  must  know  nothing.  The  grass  alley  in 
the  garden  will  serve  our  purpose.  Let  us  out  quietly, 
and  have  a  care  that  no  one  wanders  that  way  to  cool  an 
aching  head  until  we  have  departed." 

Theodor  looked  from  the  speaker  to  his  companions, 
each  in  turn,  and  Ellerey  keenly  watched  the  man's  eyes 
to  note  if  any  look  of  understanding  were  exchanged.  He 
could  detect  none. 

"  Of  course,  of  course,  it  is  a  good  spot  for  such  matter, 
but  if  one  is  killed  ?  " 

"Well,  Theodor,  there  is  earth  enough  in  the  garden 
for  burial." 

Theodor  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"And  you  will  call  none  to  help  you  with  that  work  ?" 

"  No.     Have  I  not  said  that  the  matter  is  private  ?  " 

"And  there  is  no  surgeon." 

"I  have  sufficient  skill  for  that,"  was  the  answer. 
"Come,  Theodor,  time  presses,  and  the  moon  will  not 
serve  us  long." 

"  Is  it  in  the  cause  ?  " 

"  No,"  said  Baron  Petrescu,  sharply,  as  though  he  were 
afraid  some  different  answer  would  be  given,  but  Ellerey 
could  not  help  believing  that  the  cause,  whatever  it  might 
be,  was  at  the  bottom  of  the  whole  affair,  that  the  Baron 
had  designedly  insulted  him  that  evening  because  of  it, 
and  that  his  speedy  removal  was  considered  necessary  to 
the  well-being  of  it.  Theodor  did  not  seem  to  believe  the 


THE  DUEL  111 

Baron's  statement  either,  but  it  was  apparent  that  either 
he  had  not  the  power  or  the  desire  to  oppose  the  Baron, 
for  he  answered  quickly: 

"I  see.     Will  an  hour  be  enough?" 

"More  than  enough." 

"  Good.  Then  in  one  hour  I  will  walk  through  the 
garden,  and  shall  find  it  empty.  I  shall  know  that  anyone 
with  an  aching  head  is  free  to  cool  it  there,  and  if  there  be 
a  grave  to  trample  on,  what  matter  ?  No  one  will  know." 

Without  further  words  he  led  the  way  down  a  narrow 
passage,  at  the  end  of  which  he  quietly  unbarred  a  door. 

"Three  steps  down,"  he  said  by  way  of  caution,  as 
he  stood  aside  to  let  them  pass.  He  watched  them  until 
their  figures  were  lost  in  the  shadows  of  the  garden,  and 
then  he  closed  and  barred  the  door  again. 

It  was  a  garden  of  some  extent,  and  little  heaps  of 
chairs  and  small  three-legged  tables  showed  that  on  warm 
nights  the  frequenters  of  the  cafe  drank  their  wine  and  threw 
their  dice  there  instead  of  within.  The  lights  in  the  house 
— the  cafe  seemed  to  occupy  only  the  back  of  it — shone 
through  the  shrubberies,  and  the  murmur  and  clatter  were 
plainly  audible  as  the  four  men  crossed  the  lawn  and  went 
toward  the  end  of  the  garden  along  tortuous  paths  which 
made  the  really  short  distance  seem  a  long  one. 

At  last  they  came  out  on  to  a  level  piece  of  turf  sur- 
rounded on  all  sides  by  high  hedges,  through  which  were 
many  openings  leading  to  other  parts  of  the  garden,  and 
through  one  of  which  they  had  come.  There  were  trees 
here  and  there,  the  long  shadows  thrown  across  the  turf, 
and  without  absolutely  obscuring  the  moonlight,  they  made 
it  extremely  difficult  to  fight  a  duel  by.  Baron  Petrescu 
walked  to  one  end  of  the  lawn,  and  Ellerey  to  the  other, 
leaving  the  two  seconds  together  to  make  final  arrange- 
ments. Once  convinced  that  his  adversary  contemplated 


112  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

no  treachery,  Ellerey  sank  again  into  his  indifferent  state, 
paying  no  attention  to  the  choosing  of  the  ground,  taking 
no  note  of  the  light,  nor  considering  how  he  might  best  use 
his  position  to  the  full  advantage.  The  Baron,  on  the  other 
hand,  was  quick  to  observe  exactly  how  the  shadows  fell, 
and  to  calculate  every  chance  which  might  help  him. 

"We  are  ready,  Captain  Ellerey." 

Without  a  word  Ellerey  threw  off  his  cloak  and  coat, 
and  taking  his  sword,  weighed  it  in  his  hand,  testing  its 
poise  and  balance. 

"  In  case  of  accident  is  there  anything  you  wish  me  to 
do?"  asked  his  companion;  "anything  to  take  charge  of, 
any  message  to  send  ?  The  affair  has  been  so  hurried  that 
there  has  been  no  time  to  make  these  small  arrangements." 

"Thank  you,  there  is  nothing,"  Ellerey  answered. 
"  Under  the  circumstances  I  am  fortunate  in  not  possessing 
a  friend  in  the  world  who  cares  a  snap  of  his  fingers  whether 
I  am  living  or  dead." 

"  Nor  a  woman  ?  " 

Ellerey  hesitated  for  a  moment. 

"  The  Countess  Mavrodin  might  be  interested  to  learn 
that  I  was  dead.  Yes,  if  anything  should  happen,  please 
tell  her." 

"But  in  England?" 

"  There  is  no  one,"  Ellerey  answered. 

A  cloud  passed  over  the  moon  as  the  combatants  faced 
each  other,  and  not  until  it  had  passed  was  the  signal  given. 
Then  steel  rang  on  steel  with  a  music  which  sounded 
weirdly  in  the  night.  No  other  sound  was  there  save  a 
rustling  in  the  leaves  now  and  again  as  though  they  trembled 
in  sympathy  to  some  swift  lunge  or  quickly  parried  thrust. 
The  moon  shone  clearly  for  a  space,  touching  the  swords 
into  two  streaks  of  flashing  light,  and  painting  the  men's 
set  faces  with  a  cold  hue,  ghostly,  and  deathlike.  The 


THE  DUEL  113 

Baron  had  a  reputation  as  a  swordsman,  had  stood  face 
to  face  with  an  antagonist  many  times  before,  and  more 
than  once  had  seen  his  adversary  turn  sightless  eyes  to  the 
morning  sky.  It  was  therefore,  perhaps,  only  natural 
that  he  should  have  contemplated  his  encounter  with  the 
Englishman  with  equanimity.  At  the  same  time  Ellerey's 
determination  to  settle  the  quarrel  at  once  and  by  moon- 
light may  have  had  the  effect  of  making  him  more  cautious 
than  usual.  Certainly  his  second,  who  had  often  seen  him 
fight  before,  marvelled  at  his  deliberation  to-night.  The 
well-known  brilliancy  of  his  attacks  was  wanting,  and  he 
could  only  suppose  that  the  Englishman  was  a  more  worthy 
swordsman  than  he  had  imagined.  Whatever  delibera- 
tion the  Baron  used,  he  at  first  pressed  the  fight  far  more 
than  Ellerey,  whose  whole  attention  seemed  occupied  in 
defending  himself.  He  was  less  attractive  to  watch  than 
the  Baron,  slower,  it  seemed,  in  his  movements,  and  with 
less  invention  and  resource,  yet  Petrescu  appeared  to  gain 
no  advantage.  Every  thrust  he  made  was  parried,  if  rather 
late  sometimes,  still  parried,  and  he  found  that  his  adver- 
sary's wrist,  if  less  flexible  than  his  own,  was  of  iron.  He 
changed  his  tactics,  he  pressed  the  fight  less  and  less,  hoping 
to  make  the  Englishman  careless,  and  tempt  him  to  attack 
more  vigorously.  In  a  measure  the  device  succeeded. 
Ellerey's  point  began  to  fla,sh  toward  him  with  a  persist- 
ency he  had  not  expected,  but  there  was  no  less  caution. 
Twice,  thrice,  the  Baron  used  a  feint  and  thrust  which  had 
seldom  missed  their  intention,  and  had  proved  the  undoing 
of  many  an  adversary ;  but  now  they  were  met  in  the  only 
manner  it  seemed  that  they  could  be  met  successfully. 
At  the  third  failure  the  Baron's  computation  of  the  Eng- 
lishman's skill  underwent  a  rapid  change.  He  had  met 
his  match,  a  foeman  worthy  of  his  steel,  as  comsummate 
a  swordsman  as  himself;  and  if  for  a  moment  there  was 


114  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

a  sense  of  disappointment,  it  was  quickly  followed  by  one 
of  keen  satisfaction  not  unmingled  with  a  feeling  of  friend- 
ship for  his  antagonist.  There  was  that  in  Baron  Petrescu 
which  he  had  received  no  credit  for,  even  from  his  friends. 
What  contempt  he  had  had  for  Ellerey  disappeared,  and 
a  desire  to  win  for  the  mere  sake  of  winning  took  possession 
of  him.  All  the  thoughts  which  had  prompted  him  to 
this  duel  were  forgotten ;  he  was  no  longer  intent  on  killing 
his  adversary.  Now  to  verify  his  superiority  and  to  prove 
it  to  this  worthy  foeman  was  his  ambition,  and  it  was  in 
this  spirit  he  pressed  the  contest  with  increased  energy. 
The  night  became  full  of  eyes  for  him,  eager  eyes,  watchful 
of  his  skill,  and  hushed  in  the  silence  a  thousand  voices 
seemed  ready  to  proclaim  his  victory. 

There  was  no  such  complication  of  thoughts  in  Ellerey 's 
mind.  The  Baron  had  grossly  insulted  him,  had  forced 
this  quarrel  upon  him,  and  he  meant  to  punish  him  if  he 
could.  Whether  he  killed  him  or  not  was  of  small  con- 
sequence so  long  as  he  thoroughly  taught  him  a  lesson. 
Yet  to  him  also  the  night  had  eyes,  and  the  air  a  feeling  of 
movement  in  it,  stealthy  movement  that  walked  on  tiptoe 
and  held  its  breath.  The  steel  sang,  now  high,  now  low, 
distinct  sounds  and  continuous.  The  breeze  rustled  the 
leaves  then  and  again,  but  something  else  was  stirring  in  the 
night,  now  behind  him,  now  to  his  right,  just  where  the 
high  hedges  enclosed  the  lawn .  Once  he  heard  it  like  the 
rustle  of  some  startled  animal  among  the  dried  and  fallen 
leaves,  and  again  he  heard  it,  less  distinct  perhaps  but  more 
pervading,  as  when  a  crowd  waits  spellbound. 

The  Baron's  attack  grew  fiercer  again ;  twice  he  nearly 
broke  through  Ellerey 's  defence  just  when  the  sounds  were 
audible  in  his  ears.  The  Baron's  most  dangerous  thrusts- 
and  the  coming  of  the  sounds  seemed  to  synchronise,  as 
though  there  were  a  connection  between  them,  as  though 


THE   DUEL  115 

they  were  parts  of  some  whole.  Ellerey  almost  expected 
to  read  a  solution  of  the  mystery  in  his  opponent's  eyes, 
which  glittered  in  his  pale,  moonlit  face.  But  the  solution 
was  not  in  the  Baron's  eyes — it  was  behind  him.  For  one 
instant  Ellerey  glanced  over  the  Baron's  shoulder  to  the 
thick-set  hedge  beyond,  and  in  an  alley  there  the  moonlight 
fell  for  a  moment  upon  a  pale  face  thrust  forward  a  little 
too  eagerly.  The  night  was  alive  with  eyes. 

"  It  is  treachery,  then,  after  all ! "  Ellerey  burst  out  sud- 
denly, and  as  he  spoke  he  used  the  Baron's  own  par- 
ticular feint  and  thrust,  and  his  sword  point  ran  swiftly 
and  smoothly  into  soft  flesh. 

With  a  low  cry  his  adversary  staggered  back  and  fell, 
and  in  that  moment  the  night  was  full  of  voices,  too.  Men 
rushed  with  angry  cries  and  gesticulations  from  every  alley 
of  the  garden,  some  to  this  side,  some  to  that,  to  surround 
the  little  party.  In  an  instant  the  seconds  had  drawn 
their  swords  and  were  beside  Ellerey. 

"Back,  you  fools! "came  faintly  from  the  wounded 
man,  but  the  eager  crowd  did  not  heed,  even  if  they 
heard,  him  as  they  rushed  to  the  attack  in  overwhelming 
numbers. 

"  On  my  oath,  Captain  Ellerey,  this  is  no  work  of  mine," 
said  the  Baron,  attempting  to  stagger  to  his  feet,  but  falling 
to  the  ground  again. 

His  second,  too,  shouted  to  the  crowd,  using  the  Baron's 
name  to  enforce  his  words,  but  he  might  as  well  have 
shrieked  forbiddance  to  the  incoming  tide.  The  mad 
crowd  rushed  upon  the  three  men  from  all  sides,  and 
although  the  flashing  swords  kept  them  back  for  a  few 
moments,  and  harsh  cries  told  that  one  blade  or  another 
had  done  its  work,  it  was  certain  that  only  in  flight  was  their 
safety  against  such  odds. 

As  one  ruffian  staggered  back  with  a  yell  of  pain  from 


116  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

the  point  of  Ellerey's  sword,  the  Baron's  second  whispered 
in  his  ear: 

"  Make  for  the  alley  just  in  front  of  you,  to  the  left,  to 
the  right  and  then  to  the  right  again.  There  is  a  door  in 
the  high  wall  of  the  garden.  You  are  safe  if  you  can  reach 
it.  It  is  you  they  want,  they  will  not  harm  the  Baron. 
Rush  for  it.  I  will  keep  them  off  as  long  as  I  can." 

Ellerey  whispered  the  same  instructions  to  his  second, 
and  then,  waiting  until  the  crowd  had  fallen  back  for  a 
moment,  he  suddenly  rushed  forward,  using  his  sword 
and  his  clenched  fist  to  force  himself  a  passage.  The 
crowd  was  taken  by  surprise,  and  a  cloud  hiding  the  moon 
at  that  moment  was  in  Ellerey's  favor.  Before  they  under- 
stood his  intention  he  had  reached  the  alley. 

"To  the  right,  then  left,  then  right!"  he  shouted  to  his 
companion,  who  was  running  swiftly  at  his  heels. 

"To  the  door!"  rose  the  shout  behind  him,  and  the 
whole  garden  was  full  of  rushing  feet. 

Ellerey  gave  a  cry  of  triumph  as  he  caught  the  latch  of 
the  door  and  pulled  it  open,  half  turning  to  his  companion 
as  he  did  so.  Had  he  been  an  instant  later  that  exultant  cry 
would  have  been  his  last,  for  at  that  moment  a  dagger 
flashed  down  upon  him,  and  only  by  a  quick  spring  aside 
did  he  avoid  the  blow.  The  man  who  had  followed  him 
so  closely  was  not  his  second. 

Before  his  adversary  could  recover  himself,  he  struck 
him  full  in  the  face  with  the  hilt  of  his  sword  and  sent  him 
reeling  back  into  the  arms  of  the  foremost  of  his  compan- 
ions. The  next  instant  Ellerey  had  slammed  the  door 
behind  him,  and  was  in  a  narrow  lane  on  the  other  side  of 
the  wall. 


CHAPTER   X. 

THE   FOLLY    OF  A  SOLDIER 

IT  was  not  until  he  had  run  some  distance  along  the  lane 
that  Ellerey  stopped  to  listen,  and  fully  to  realize  that  his 
companion  was  not  beside  him.  There  were  no  sounds 
of  hurrying  feet  in  pursuit.  He  could  not  have  out-dis- 
tanced his  enemies  so  completely  in  so  short  a  time ;  either 
they  had  come  no  farther  than  the  door  in  the  wall,  or  had 
turned  in  the  opposite  direction,  perhaps  following  his 
companion. 

With  his  sword  still  in  his  hand,  held  ready  for  deadly 
work  at  a  moment's  notice,  he  retraced  his  steps,  his 
senses  sharp  set  to  detect  the  slightest  sound  or  movement 
near  him.  Heavy  clouds  had  engulfed  the  moon  now, 
the  darkness  was  extreme,  and  the  silence  of  the  night 
unbroken.  He  went  forward  carefully;  the  darkness 
might  hold  a  legion  of  foes,  and  the  silence  be  a  trap  to 
catch  him.  Ellerey  found  the  door  with  difficulty,  indeed 
by  chance,  for  it  was  cunningly  hidden.  Whatever  the 
danger,  he  must  enter  the  garden  again  in  search  for  his 
comrade.  The  door  was  shut,  and  as  he  felt  along  it  from 
top  to  bottom,  touching  no  latch  nor  handle,  nor  keyhole 
even,  he  realized  that  entrance  that  way  was  barred.  The 
door  only  opened  from  within.  He  had  stepped  back  to 
consider  how,  and  at  what  point,  he  could  best  scale  the 
wall,  when  a  slight  movement  close  beside  him  caused 
him  to  stand  on  the  defensive  in  a  moment. 

"Is  that  you,  Ellerey?" 


118  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"You  got  out,  then?    Thank  heaven!" 

"Yes;  I  didn't  speak  because  I  thought  you  were 
one  of  them,  and  just  now  I'm  no  match  for  a  babe  in 
arms." 

He  was  leaning  against  the  wall  a  few  feet  from  the  gate. 
Ellerey  had  supposed  him  farther  off  by  the  faintness  of 
his  voice. 

"Are  you  hurt?" 

"  Nothing  serious,  I  think,  but  I've  had  a  good  deal  of 
blood  let  out  of  me.  I  should  have  occupied  that  grave 
in  the  garden  for  a  certainty  had  it  not  been  for  the  Baron's 
second,  who  stood  over  me  when  I  fell,  and,  when  the  black- 
guards retreated  from  the  door,  put  me  outside.  This 
wasn't  the  Baron's  doing. " 

"  Perhaps  not,"  Ellerey  answered.  "  Can  you  manage 
to  walk?" 

"Yes,  if  you'll  let  me  hang  on  to  you,  and  we  don't 
have  to  go  far.  When  I  was  put  outside  something  was 
said  about  going  to  the  left." 

"  We'll  go  to  the  left,  then ;  but  I  haven't  an  idea  where 
we  are." 

The  wounded  man  was  weaker  than  he  imagined. 
Before  they  had  gone  fifty  yards  he  began  to  reel,  and  even 
as  he  suggested  that  Ellerey  should  go  on  and  get  help, 
he  fainted.  Ellerey  took  him  in  his  arms  and  carried  him. 
His  one  idea  was  to  get  as  far  away  from  the  scene  of  the 
night's  adventure  as  possible,  but  his  progress  was  slow. 
His  comrade  revived  presently,  but  although  he  tried  to 
walk  again,  the  task  was  beyond  him.  So  Ellerey  carried 
him,  resting  at  intervals,  all  through  the  night.  As  long 
as  darkness  lasted  and  they  were  on  the  outskirts  of  the 
city  they  were  unlikely  to  be  stopped  and  questioned,  but 
with  dawn  it  would  be  different.  Ellerey  was  without 
his  coat  and  cloak,  there  had  been  no  tune  to  seize  them 


THE  FOLLY  OF  A  SOLDIER  119 

as  he  rushed  from  the  garden,  and  he  carried  a  grievously 
hurt  man  in  his  arms.  The  first  peasant,  trudging  to  his 
early  toil,  who  caught  sight  of  them  would  run  and  tell 
the  news  as  he  went.  Such  publicity  was  to  be  avoided 
at  all  costs,  or  there  would  be  small  chance  of  his  being 
at  the  Toison  d'Or,  in  the  Bergenstrasse,  to  keep  his  ap- 
pointment. Already  a  long,  thin  streak  of  gray  showed 
low  down  in  the  east,  and  Ellerey  pressed  forward  as  quickly 
as  possible  to  find  an  asylum.  He  passed  the  first  scat- 
tered dwellings  he  came  to,  having  no  desire  to  knock  up 
some  sleepy  peasant  and  have  to  combat  his  inquisitive- 
ness,  as  well  as  his  annoyance,  at  being  so  unceremoni- 
ously disturbed.  Presently  where  two  cross-roads  met 
he  espied  a  small  habitation,  from  which  a  thin  wreath  of 
smoke  was  rising  into  the  morning  air,  and  decided  to  try 
his  fortune  here.  He  had  set  his  burden  down  by  the  gate 
when  an  old  woman  came  from  the  house  with  a  pail  going 
to  a  well  in  the  garden  for  water. 

"Good  mother,"  Ellerey  called  out,  "I  would  claim 
your  hospitality." 

The  woman  turned  to  look  at  him,  then  set  down  the 
pail  and  came  to  the  gate. 

"What  is  it?  Defend  us,  there's  blood  on  him!"  she 
exclaimed,  pointing  at  the  prostrate  man. 

"An  attack  in  the  night  by  some  ruffians  who  would 
have  murdered  us,  good  mother.  My  comrade  is  wounded, 
you  see.  Will  you  give  him  rest  here  while  I  go  into  the 
city  for  help?" 

"  It  is  ill  work  assisting  strangers,"  answered  the  woman. 

"  Look  at  me ;  is  there  not  honesty  in  my  face  ?  " 

"Aye,  I  quarrel  not  with  your  face,  but  there  is  that  on 
your  tongue  which  does  not  greatly  please  me." 

"  The  accent  of  a  foreigner  ?  "  asked  Ellerey.  "  Shall 
I  tell  you  a  secret  ?  The  time  is  coming  when  you  shall 


120  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

have  little  enough  of  such  an  accent  through  the  length 
and  breadth  of  the  land." 

"  For  such  a  prophecy  you  are  welcome,"  she  answered, 
opening  the  gate.  "You  may  come  in." 

Ellerey  carried  his  companion  up  the  garden  path, 
and  with  the  help  of  the  woman  and  her  grandson,  who 
stared  in  wonder  at  their  coming,  soon  had  him  comfort- 
ably placed  on  a  pallet  in  the  little  room. 

"Send  Dr.  Goldberg  to  me,"  said  his  companion; 
"he  lives  close  to  the  palace,  and  is  a  friend  and  dis- 
creet." 

The  mention  of  the  name  caused  Ellerey  to  look  closely 
at  the  man's  face  for  a  moment.  He  had  been  a  true  com- 
rade, and  Ellerey  had  given  little  thought  to  his  identity ; 
now  he  wondered,  and  a  smile  wrinkled  the  comers  of  his 
mouth. 

His  companion  in  safe  keeping,  Ellerey  began  actively 
to  consider  his  own  affairs.  He  knew  Dr.  Goldberg  by 
reputation,  but  he  had  no  desire  to  visit  him  just  now. 
To  invent  a  tale  to  satisfy  the  doctor  would  be  difficult, 
and  might  well  be  left  to  the  wounded  man.  He  took  up 
his  companion's  cloak — he  could  hardly  go  into  the  city 
as  he  was — and  then  left  the  room,  beckoning  the  woman 
to  follow  him. 

"  I  will  send  the  doctor  at  once,  good  mother,-"  he  said, 
"and  there  is  something  to  help  my  poor  thanks.  Can 
you  give  me  a  piece  of  paper  and  lend  me  a  pencil  ?  " 

The  golden  coins  clinking  in  her  hand  would  have 
purchased  a  far  greater  service.  The  pencil  and  paper 
were  brought,  and  Ellerey  wrote  rapidly  for  a  few  moments ; 
then  tore  the  paper  in  half.  He  folded  each  portion  care- 
fully, placing  one  in  his  pocket,  the  other  he  kept  in  his 
hand. 

"  If  the  lad  would  earn  something,  send  him  after  me 


THE  FOLLY  OF  A  SOLDIER 

quiekiy,"  he  said,  and  then  he  went  up  the  garden  path  and 
took  the  road  to  the  city. 

In  a  few  moments  the  boy  «y«?teek  hi~.  ' 

"  Do  you  know  the  palace,  my  lad  ?  " 

"Yes." 

"  To  the  right  of  it  there  is  a  large  square." 

"I  know  it,"  answered  the  boy;  "the  foreigners  who 
hate  us  live  there." 

"I  would  curb  that  young  tongue  of  yours,  or  you'll 
be  using  it  squealing  for  mercy  under  the  whip.  Ask 
there  for  Dr.  Goldberg's  house,  and  give  him  this  paper. 
Do  you  understand?" 

The  lad  nodded. 

"  Run  quickly  then,  and  afterward  come  to  me  in  the 
Grande  Place.  You  know  the  statue  of  King  Ferdinand 
there?  I  shall  be  beside  it.  Away  with  you.  The 
quicker  you  do  your  errand,  the  greater  your  reward." 

The  lad  needed  no  second  bidding.  He  started  off  at 
a  brisk  trot,  and  Ellerey  pursued  his  way  to  the  city. 
The  gates  were  open,  and  there  were  few  abroad  in  the 
streets  as  yet;  but  the  thought  of  the  many  hands  which 
had  sought  to  despatch  him  in  the  garden  last  night  made 
Ellerey  proceed  with  greater  caution  than  he  had  ever 
exercised.  Only  a  few  in  the  dim  light  could  have  seen 
his  face  sufficiently  to  recognize  him,  but  he  drew  the  cloak 
up  to  his  chin  and  concealed  his  face  as  much  as  possible. 
He  avoided  the  larger  thoroughfares,  being  undesirous  of 
meeting  any  acquaintances;  and  in  the  smaller  streets 
which  he  traversed  he  might  at  any  moment  come  face 
to  face  with  one  of  that  crowd  he  had  so  recently  es- 
caped from.  He  went  warily,  therefore,  looking  for  the 
slightest  glance  of  recognition  in  the  face  of  every  man 
he  met. 

In  the  neighborhood  of  the  Grande  Place  he  lingered 


122  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

in  a  side  street  until  he  saw  the  lad  approaching  the  statue, 
when  he  went  to  meet  him. 
w      "  You  delivered  the  ietief  ?  " 

"  Yes.  I  was  asked  who  gave  it  me,  and  I  said  a  man 
I  did  not  know." 

"That  was  true  enough,"  Ellerey  returned.  "Here's 
for  your  trouble.  Would  you  earn  more  ?  " 

The  boy's  eyes  glistened  as  his  fingers  closed  on  the  sil- 
ver. It  was  easy  to  buy  faithful  service  in  Sturatzberg  so 
long  as  no  one  was  near  to  offer  a  higher  price  for  unfaith- 
fulness. Ellerey  judged  that  such  a  messenger  as  this  lad 
would  pass  unchallenged  and  unnoticed. 

"  Take  this  to  the  Western  Gate  and  ask  for  the  lodging 
of  a  Captain  called  Ellerey.  He  has  a  servant  named  Ste- 
fan— give  him  the  paper." 

"He  shall  have  it." 

"  There  is  double  payment,  then.  Run.  I  shall  know 
if  your  errand  is  quickly  done,  ahd  woe-betide  you  if  you 
loiter."  And  having  watched  the  lad  disappear,  Ellerey 
went  quickly  down  a  side  street,  and  by  many  turnings  and 
doublings  on  his  track,  sought  to  escape  any  spy  who  might 
chance  to  be  watching  him. 

K,  At  dawn  Stefan  stretched  out  his  huge  limbs  upon  the 
settle,  and  awoke  with  a  heavy  grunt.  No  matter  how 
•deep  his  potations  on  the  previous  evening,  he  always  awoke 
early;  not  fresh,  perhaps,  that  were  too  much  to  expect, 
but  with  his  wits  clear.  Sitting  up,  he  glanced  round  the 
room  for  signs  of  his  master's  return,  and,  seeing  none, 
grunted  again  in  wonder.  A  tankard  was  on  the  floor  be- 
side him,  and  he  drank  the  flat  remains  from  last  night's 
measure  with  a  wry  face.  Then  he  pushed  open  the  door 
of  his  master's  room  and  looked  in. 

"Empty!"  he  said,  satisfied  that  his  master  had  not 
entered  without  being  heard.  "Here's  another  street 


THE  FOLLY  OF  A  SOLDIER  123 

quarrel,  maybe,  and  more  torn  clothes  to  sell  to  the 
ragman." 

Then  Stefan  made  his  morning  toilet.  It  was  a  simple 
process.  His  ablutions  were  taken  at  irregular  intervals, 
sometimes  at  long  intervals,  and  this  was  not  the  time  for 
tJiem.  He  ran  his  fingers  through  his  hair  to  take  some  of 
the  tangle  out  of  it,  shook  his  great  frame  to  force  his  clothes 
into  comfortable  position,  tightened  his  loosened  belt,  and 
took  off  his  boots.  For  a  few  moments  he  sat  on  the  settle, 
his  legs  stretched  out  wide  apart,  then  he  drew  his  boots  on 
again,  and  stamping  himself  firmly  into  them,  was  ready 
for  whatever  the  day  might  bring  forth. 

The  street  was  still  silent  and  deserted  as  Stefan  went 
to  the  door  and  looked  to  right  and  left.  The  neighbor- 
hood was  one  of  the  last  in  the  city  to  stir  itself.  If  Stefan 
felt  any  anxiety  regarding  his  master,  there  was  no  expres- 
sion in  his  face  to  mark  it.  He  was  stolid  and  imperturb- 
able; would  have  remained  so  probably  had  Ellerey  been 
carried  up  the  street  dead  on  a  shutter.  He  grunted  now 
and  then,  walked  half  a  dozen  paces  from  the  door  and  back 
to  circulate  his  blood,  and  then  leaned  with  his  shoulders 
against  the  wall  as  though  he  were  a  fixture  there  until  des- 
perate necessity  moved  him. 

The  boy,  who  turned  quickly  into  the  street,  and  then 
came  along  slowly,  looking  to  this  side  and  that,  hardly 
appeared  the  kind  of  visitor  necessary  to  move  the  soldier. 
Stefan  looked  at  him  because  there  was  no  one  else  in 
the  street  to  look  at;  but  he  was  little  interested.  As  the 
lad  came  nearer,  however,  the  soldier  became  aware  that 
the  sleepy  street  was  beginning  to  rouse  itself.  The  blind 
in  a  window  of  the  house  opposite  was  drawn  aside  for  a 
moment,  and  a  face  looked  out.  The  aspect  of  the  morn- 
ing seemed  speedily  to  satisfy,  for  the  blind  quickly  fell  back 
into  its  place  again.  Without  actually  looking  up,  Stefan 


124  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

had  seen  those  peering  eyes,  and  curiously  enough  they  had 
him  interested  in  the  lad,  who  suddenly  stopped  in  front 
of  him. 

"  Can  you  tell  me  where  a  Captain  Ellerey  lodges  ?  " 

"  Were  you  told  to  go  into  a  street  and  bawl  for  infor- 
mation like  that  until  you  found  him  ?  "  asked  the  soldier 
gruffly. 

"  I  spoke  no  louder  than  I  always  do,"  answered  the 
boy. 

"  Then  it's  a  hale  pair  of  lungs  you've  got  concealed  in 
that  body  of  yours.  I'm  nigh  deaf  with  your  shouting. 
Come  within  the  doorway,  my  lad,  and  whisper.  Perhaps 
I'll  catch  the  meaning  of  your  question  when  it  does  not 
drum  through  me  like  the  cry  of  a  drunken  crowd  of 
rioters." 

Somewhat  abashed,  the  boy  did  as  he  was  told,  and 
repeated  his  question  in  a  lower  tone. 

"  By  a  strange  chance  he  lives  in  this  selfsame  house, 
but  he's  not  abroad  yet,"  said  Stefan.  "  We  do  sometimes 
sleep,  and  our  day  doesn't  begin  at  cock-crow." 

"  I  don't  want  him,"  said  the  lad,  "  I  want  his  servant, 
Stefan." 

"  By  another  strange  chance  he  lives  here,  too.  What 
do  you  want  with  him  ?  " 

"Is  he  abroad  yet?" 

"  Aye,  he  never  sleeps  at  all." 

"I  live  too  nigh  the  city  for  fairy-tales,"  said  the  boy. 
"  Will  you  bring  me  to  this  same  Stefan  ?  I  have  a  message 
for  him." 

"  Don't  bawl  it,  lad,  whisper.  He's  of  a  delicate  con- 
stitution, this  Stefan — I  know,  for  I  am  he." 

The  boy  looked  doubtful  for  a  moment. 

"Is  that  truth?" 

"I  like  your  caution,"  Stefan  returned.     "You'll  sue- 


THE  F0LLY  OF  A  SOLDIER  125 

ceed,  whether  you  deal  with  men  or  women,  though  the 
women  will  bring  out  all  your  mettle,  I  warrant.  Yes, 
truth,  I  am  Stefan." 

"  I  was  to  give  this  paper  to  you." 

The  soldier  opened  it  and  read  it,  not  without  some  dif- 
ficulty, it  seemed. 

"  Who  gave  you  this  ?  " 

"  A  man,  I  know  no  more  of  him." 

"  Good.     Which  way  lies  your  home  ?  " 

"  On  the  road  toward  Breslen." 

"  Good  again.  Get  you  home  quickly,  and  look  you, 
my  lad,  should  any  ask  what  errand  you  have  been  on  this 
morning,  be  a  fool  and  forget.  If  your  memory's  too  good, 
it's  like  enough  some  friend  of  mine  will  be  spoiling  those 
fine  lungs  of  yours.  Hast  ever  heard  a  man  try  to  shout 
with  a  sword  thrust  through  him  ?  " 

"No,  sir." 

"  I  have,"  Stefan  answered.  "  It's  a  fearsome  sound, 
like  a  whisper  bubbling  up  through  water.  I'd  be  sorry  to 
hear  it  from  you .  Off  with  you ." 

Stefan  watched  the  boy  out  of  the  street,  then  he  went 
in,  and  striking  a  match,  burnt  the  paper,  scattering  the 
charred  fragments  on  the  hearth. 

"  Here's  news  that's  an  excuse  for  wine,"  he  said,  pour- 
ing out  a  liberal  draught  into  the  tankard.  "  A  man  gets 
rusty  as  an  old  lock  with  waiting.  This  will  grease  the 
action  somewhat." 

"  It's  early  hours  for  such  refreshment,"  said  a  voice 
at  the  door. 

Stefan  winked  one  eye  over  the  rim  of  the  tankard  at  the 
intruder,  but  did  not  pause  in  his  drinking  until  three  parts 
of  the  liquid  was  gone.  Then  he  drew  the  back  of  his  hand 
across  his  beard  and  mustache  and  sighed  with  satisfac- 
tion. 


126  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  Never  too  early  to  drink  thanks  for  good  tidings,  Mon- 
sieur Francis." 

The  Frenchman,  with  a  quick  glance  round  the  room, 
stepped  in,  a  smile  upon  his  lips.  He  had  told  his  master 
more  than  once  that  this  servant  of  Captain  Ellerey's  was 
a  drunkard  and  a  fool,  and  that  little  was  to  be  got  out  of 
him  because  nothing  was  ever  trusted  to  him. 

"  And  what  are  the  good  tidings,"  he  asked. 

"You'll  be  laughing  at  me,  because  you  don't  under- 
stand my  disease,  Monsieur  Francois.  I  hate  women." 

"Hate  them!  Ma  foi!  Then  is  your  disease  very 
lamentable." 

"  Well,  there  it  is — I  hate  them,"  said  Stefan,  "  but  there 
was  one  woman  who  would  not  hate  me,  do  what  I  would. 
She  was  a  bonny  wench,  so  far  as  I  am  a  judge,  of  bigger 
girth  than  most  you  meet,  and  with  an  arm  of  muscle  to 
appeal  to  a  soldier  like  me.  At  the  street  corner  she'd  wait 
awhile  to  see  me  pass,  and  she'd  remark  on  the  cut  of  my 
features  and  the  stalwart  looks  of  these  legs  of  mine.  I 
took  no  notice,  but  her  love  was  proof  against  a  trifle  of  that 
kind.  She'd  '  make  a  husband  of  me  some  day,'  she  said, 
and  those  that  heard  her  told  me  the  saying.  There's  a 
vein  of  superstition  in  my  composition,  and  for  months  past 
I've  been  expecting  her  to  keep  her  word.  When  a  wom- 
an's set  upon  a  matter,  where 's  the  hole  a  man  may  find 
safety  in  ?  Tell  me  that,  Monsieur  Fra^ois." 

The  Frenchman  shrugged  his  shoulders,  thinking  what 
a  fool  his  companion  was. 

"  This  morning  there  comes  a  lad  looking  up  and  down 
the  street  to  find  me,  and  he  says  to  me, '  Where  lives  Stefan, 
he  who  is  servant  to  that  Captain  Ellerey  we  hear  so  much 
about  ? '  And  I  answers  cunningly,  knowing  the  value  of 
caution  in  such  times  as  these.  At  last  I  admit  that  I  am, 
and  he  says, '  There's  a  fat  woman' — that's  what  he  called 


THE  FOLLY  OF  A  SOLDIER  127 

her,  Monsieur  Francis — 'There's  a  fat  woman  you're 
afraid  of  because  she's  going  to  marry  you.'  I  sweated 
from  every  hole  in  my  skin,  thinking  the  time  had  come. 
Then  says  he : '  You  needn't  be  afraid  any  more.  She  was 
married  yesterday  to  a  timber-cutter  from  Breslen  way, 
and  he'll  tame  her  fast  enough  like  you  might  a  hungry 
sparrow  in  winter  time.'  Good  tidings,  Monsieur  Fran- 
9ois,  believe  me,  though  I  doubt  the  taming  and  pity  the 
woodcutter.  Why,  the  muscles  in  her  arm  wouldn't  blush 
to  be  seen  by  the  side  of  mine,  and  a  woodcutter  would  have 
to  cut  deep  into  the  forest  before  muscles  stood  out  like 
these."  And  with  a  great  laugh  Stefan  bared  his  brawny 
arms  for  the  Frenchman's  inspection. 

"  Very  beautiful,"  said  Fra^ois. 

"  I  believe  you.  Too  good  to  waste  in  fondling  a  wom- 
an. Ugh!  What  brings  you  so  early  to  the  Western 
Gate?" 

"  I  have  a  message  for  the  Captain." 

"  Ah,  from  Monsieur  De  Froilette  ?  " 

"  I  only  carry  messages  for  my  master." 

"  I'll  deliver  it.  Tell  me  quickly,  and  you  shall  taste  a 
drop  of  real  Burgundy,  to  keep  the  morning  air  out  of  your 
return  journey." 

"  I  was  to  tell  it  to  the  Captajn  personally." 

"  What ! "  thundered  Stefan,  "  am  I  not  to  be  trusted, 
then?" 

"  You  know  the  value  of  caution  in  these  times,"  said 
Francois,  "  you  spoke  of  it  just  now.  Monsieur  De  Froi- 
lette s  over-cautious,  Stefan;  that  is  the  truth." 

"It  is  a  weakness  of  all  masters,"  the  soldier  replied, 
"  and  so  they  overreach  themselves.  Give  me  a  little  con- 
fidence, and  I  am  content,  but  distrust  me,  and  my  ears  are 
ever  on  the  stretch  to  catch  news  which  I  may  use  to  my 
advantage.  But  I  have  no  quarrel  with  you.  The  Cap- 


128  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

tain  is  out,  you  must  await  his  return,  and  while  you  wait 
you  shall  taste  his  Burgundy." 

"Out!    So  early!" 

"  Oh,  he's  in  love,  I  think,  for  he  walks  under  the  stars 
often,  and  on  his  return  sighs  like  a  gathering  storm.  I 
hear  things,  Monsieur  Fra^ois.  I  know." 

The  wily  Frenchman  nodded  sympathetically. 

"  Perhaps  I  might  find  a  market  for  what  you  know." 

"  That's  been  in  my  mind  these  many  days,"  Stefan  an- 
swered. "  It's  the  first  word  that  sticks  in  my  throat.  I've 
never  let  out  secrets  before,  maybe  because  no  man  has  told 
me  any.  Come,  the  wine  may  loosen  my  tongue." 

He  took  two  tankards  and  a  key  from  the  shelf,  and  led 
the  way  along  a  passage.  The  Frenchman  followed  ea- 
gerly, laughing  at  his  companion's  simplicity.  It  would 
be  strange  if  Stefan  could  not  tell  him  some  news  which 
would  be  useful  to  Monsieur  De  Froilette. 

"  You  have  your  wine  in  safe  keeping,"  he  said,  as  Ste- 
fan went  down  into  a  cellar,  bidding  Francois  to  wait  until 
he  had  struck  a  light. 

"  Would  you  have  us  keep  it  in  the  doorway  for  every 
thirsty  throat  in  Sturatzberg  ?  Come  down  now.  Sit  you 
on  that  empty  barrel  there.  Here's  wine  should  make  you 
dream  to  your  heart's  content.  The  Captain  will  think  that 
it  has  leaked  somewhat.  Scurvy  treatment,  Monsieur 
Fran9ois,  to  have  such  wine  in  hiding  and  never  ask  a  sol- 
dier comrade  to  pass  an  opinion.  So  we  help  ourselves." 

"  To  his  wine  and  to  his  secrets,  eh  ?  " 

Stefan  drowned  his  loud  laughter  in  a  copious  draught, 
while  Fran9ois  sipped  with  the  air  of  a  connoisseur. 

"  Fit  for  a  king's  palate,"  he  murmured. 

"Say  rather  for  the  gods.  Nectar,  monsieur,  nectar! 
My  secrets  bubble  to  my  tongue  as  the  wine  bubbles  to  the 
surface." 


THE  FOLLY  OF  A  SOLDIER  129 

"Turn  them  into  good  money,  Stefan.  After  all,  what 
is  this  English  Captain  to  you  ?  " 

The  soldier  set  down  his  tankard  and  lowered  his  voice 
into  a  confidential  whisper. 

"  There  are  some  who  take  me  for  a  fool,"  he  said,  com- 
ing nearer  to  his  companion.  "  The  Captain  did  not  return 
last  night,  and  there  have  been  watchers  in  the  street." 

"Watchers?  Go  on,  Stefan,  what  else?"  said  the 
Frenchman,  eagerly. 

"  Aye,  I  saw  one  draw  back  a  blind  in  the  house  oppo- 
site not  an  hour  ago.  What  do  you  make  of  that,  Monsieur 
Fra^ois  ?  " 

The  answer  was  a  smothered  gurgle,  for  a  cloth  had 
been  suddenly  tied  across  the  Frenchman's  mouth.  It  was 
in  vain  that  he  tried  to  free  himself.  He  was  no  match 
against  the  muscles  Stefan  had  shown  him  a  little  while 
ago;  and  before  he  had  fully  realized  what  had  happened, 
he  was  bound,  gagged,  and  lying  on  his  back  on  the 
floor. 

"  You'll  have  ample  time  to  find  out  how  much  of  a  fool 
I  am,  Monsieur  Fra^ois,"  said  Stefan,  "  for  unless  a  mira- 
cle should  happen  you'll  be  sharp  set  for  a  meal  before  you 
leave  here.  Never  look  so  solemn,  man;  you  won't  die. 
I'll  send  and  release  you  as  soon  as  it  is  safe  to  do  so ;  and  if 
it  will  save  your  character  I'll  let  your  master  in  the  Alt- 
strasse  know  that  you  did  your  best  to  carry  out  his  instruc- 
tions and  make  a  fool  of  me.  Should  you  be  able  to  drag 
yourself  about  presently  you  have  my  full  permission  to 
hold  your  mouth  under  any  tap  there  in  the  cellar,  and 
we'll  never  ask  for  payment  of  the  score."  And  drinking 
the  wine  which  remained  in  his  own  tankard  and  also  in 
the  Frenchman's  he  left  the  cellar,  locking  the  door  after 
him. 

A  few  minutes  later  he  walked  down  the  street  with  a 
9 


130  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

self-satisfied  smile,  a  strapped-up  bundle  under  his  arm, 
and  was  soon  lost  to  view  in  the  lower  purlieus  of  the  city. 

That  night  seven  horsemen  left  Sturatzberg,  riding 
singly,  and  not  all  by  the  same  gate.  But,  by  whichever 
gate  they  left,  they  halted  when  they  had  ridden  out  of 
sight,  and  turned  aside  to  reach  the  Breslen  road.  The 
last  to  go  was  Stefan.  He  went  by  the  Southern  Gate,  and 
once  free  of  the  city,  urged  his  horse  forward  toward  the 
forest  which  lies  between  Breslen  and  Sturatzberg. 


CHAPTER   XI. 

IN  THE   BOIS 

THE  Bois  lay  without  the  Northern  Gate.  The  work  of 
planting  gardens  and  cutting  carriage  roads  through  the 
nearer  stretches  of  the  forest  which  touched  the  city  on  this 
side  was  due  to  Ferdinand  I,  whose  statue  stood  in  the 
Grande  Place,  the  only  useful  action  of  which  he  had  ever 
been  guilty,  it  was  said. 

Early  in  the  morning  men  riding  in  the  Bois  had  inquired 
of  one  another  whether  the  story  concerning  Baron  Petrescu 
were  true.  One  had  heard  this,  another  that.  It  was 
whispered  that  the  Baron  had  been  killed  in  a  duel  by  a 
member  of  the  British  Embassy,  who  had  also  been  seri- 
ously wounded ;  and  again,  that  he  had  wounded  his  adver- 
sary and  had  then  been  nearly  killed  by  his  adversary's 
partisans.  Then  one  man  inquired  the  name  of  the  woman 
and  another  where  the  duel  had  been  fought,  for  there  was 
a  law  against  duelling,  although  it  was  seldom  enforced. 
The  true  story  did  not  become  public  property,  but  it  was 
presently  known  that  the  Baron's  wound  was  a  slight  affair 
after  all,  anrl  that  the  duel  had  not  been  fought  with  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Embassy.  Captain  Ward  had  certainly  been 
injured,  but  that  was  the  result  of  an  accident;  they  had 
Dr.  Goldberg's  word  for  it.  It  was  then  that  the  younger 
wiseacres  smiled.  Baron  Petrescu  was  an  easy  lover,  and 
had  been  punished  for  some  indiscretion.  Some  townsman, 
perhaps,  with  the  luck  on  his  side,  had  got  the  better  of  the 
master  of  fence.  No  wonder  the  Baron  wished  to  keep  the 
matter  quiet. 


132  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

Lord  Cloverton  knew  the  true  story.  Captain  Ward 
had  sent  to  him  directly  Dr.  Goldberg  had  got  him  borne, 
and  the  Ambassador  shut  himself  in  his  room  to  consider 
his  course  of  action.  After  his  failure  to  entrap  Queen 
Elena  last  night,  and  the  King's  anger  consequent  upon  his 
accusation,  his  position  was  an  extremely  difficult  one. 
The  Queen  had  outwitted  him,  but  the  fact  remained  that 
Captain  Ellerey  was  not  to  be  found  at  his  lodging  this  morn- 
ing. He  had  ascertained  this  fact.  There  was  no  doubt 
that  Ellerey  had  some  understanding  with  her  Majesty, 
and  might  have  already  left  the  city  on  his  mission.  The 
token  might  have  been  changed  at  the  last  moment.  He 
had  failed  to  arouse  the  King's  suspicion  through  the  Queen, 
but  the  interests  at  stake  demanded  instant  action,  and  an- 
other method  must  be  used.  So  Lord  Cloverton  went  to 
the  King  and  again  apologized  for  the  mistake  his  zeal  had 
led  him  into.  Her  Majesty  had,  of  course,  proved  how 
innocent  her  audience  with  Captain  Ellerey  had  been,  but 
the  fact  remained  that  Ellerey  was  the  moving  spirit  in  a 
rebellion.  The  sooner  means  were  taken  to  obtain  posses- 
sion of  his  person  the  better.  In  this  manner  the  Ambas- 
sador quickly  made  his  peace,  and  messengers  galloped 
hastily  through  the  city  from  the  palace. 

The  night  had  been  a  sleepless  one  for  Frina  Mavrodin. 
From  the  moment  she  had  seen  those  figures  descending 
the  stairs,  her  thoughts  had  been  fixed  in  one  channel.  She 
knew  the  Baron's  reputation  as  a  swordsman,  and  her  heart 
went  with  the  man  who  had  met  his  insult  with  so  swift  a 
demand  for  retribution.  The  cause  to  which  she  was 
attached,  for  which  she  was  prepared  to  squander  her 
wealth,  to  give  her  life  even  were  that  necessary,  had  com- 
pelled her  companionship  with  this  adventurous  English- 
man. She  had  met  him  in  a  spirit  of  raillery,  measuring 
her  woman's  wit  and  beauty  against  his  brusqueness,  and 


IN  THE  BOIS  133 

his  resourcefulness  and  calm  determination  had  won  her 
admiration.  The  cause  was  altogether  forgotten  some- 
times in  the  mere  pleasure  she  had  in  being  with  him.  He 
was  not  as  other  men,  quick  with  a  compliment,  ever  ready 
to  please.  Not  a  word  of  love  had  he  spoken  to  her,  yet  his 
eyes  had  always  sought  her  first  in  the  throng,  whether  it 
were  in  the  Bois  or  at  Court,  and,  having  found  her,  he 
looked  no  further.  If  she  indulged  in  dreams  sometimes, 
they  were  shadowy  visions,  pleasant  enough,  but  taking  no 
distinct  shape,  demanding  no  definite  consideration. 

The  awakening  had  come  when  Princess  Maritza  had 
spoken  of  him.  She  had  said  little,  but  Frina  had  read  the 
deeper  meaning  underneath  her  words.  As  a  Princess, 
Maritza  had  watched  the  man's  career,  believing  that  one 
day  he  might  prove  useful  to  her  cause;  but  as  a  woman 
she  had  also  remembered  the  circumstances  of  their  meet- 
ing, and  had  treasured  them  in  her  heart.  Only  with 
this  discovery  had  Frina  Mavrodin  become  fully  conscious 
of  all  Captain  Ellerey's  companionship  meant  to  her.  The 
flood-gates  were  suddenly  opened,  and  the  rushing  torrent 
of  her  emotions  threatened  to  sweep  away  all  thought  of  the 
cause  she  had  worked  for,  and  loved,  and  believed  in.  Al- 
most had  she  told  him  her  secret  to-night  by  her  eager  ques- 
tions, and  the  blood  mounted  to  her  cheeks  as  she  remem- 
bered. How  would  he  have  answered  her  had  he  not  been 
summoned  to-  audience  with  the  Queen  ?  Leaning  at  the 
open  window,  looking  at  the  heavy  clouds  which  presently 
obscured  the  moon,  she  passed  a  night  of  restless  anxiety. 
Somewhere,  perhaps  very  near  her,  the  man  she  loved  had 
faced  death  to-night,  calmly,  fearlessly ;  even  now  he  might 
be  lying  with  sightless  eyes  toward  the  coming  day,  the  new 
day  which  was  so  long  in  coming. 

It  came  at  last,  and  with  her  eyes  bathed  to  remove  all 
traces  of  the  night's  vigil,  she  went  as  usual  to  breakfast 


134  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

with  the  Princess,  who  was  always  an  early  riser.  Since 
the  night  they  had  spoken  of  Captain  Ellerey  there  had 
arisen  a  subtle  difference  in  their  relations  toward  each 
other.  It  hardly  amounted  to  restraint,  but  the  Countess 
was  more  reserved,  and  the  Princess  talked  little  of  her  hopes 
and  plans.  She  made  more  show  of  taking  her  companion 
into  her  confidence,  but  told  her  less.  For  this  difference, 
perhaps,  Frina  was  chiefly  responsible.  Maritza  felt  that 
she  had  grown  lukewarm,  not  to  her  personally,  but  toward 
the  cause  which  took  so  few  and  such  trifling  steps  toward 
its  end.  She  did  not  wonder  at  it.  No  day  passed  in  which 
she  herself  had  not  a  period  of  despair,  a  passionate  long- 
ing to  drive  things  to  a  speedy  conclusion,  though  the  end 
brought  failure.  To  her,  her  cause  was  paramount,  and 
she  would  not  allow  herself  to  think  of  Desmond  Ellerey 
apart  from  it;  yet  when  Frina  had  in  a  manner  claimed 
him,  she  remembered  that  morning  on  the  downs,  every 
hue  of  land  and  sky,  every  sound  that  had  sung  in  her  ears, 
every  perfume  the  air  held,  and  the  centre  of  all  was 
this  man,  who  seemed  then  to  be  her  possession.  He  had 
come  to  her  country,  not  at  her  bidding,  perhaps,  but  at  her 
suggestion  surely,  and  she  had  a  right  to  his  allegiance. 
It  was  a  woman's  argument,  and  a  weak  one,  yet  her  heart 
seemed  to  excuse  her. 

They  were  still  at  breakfast  when  Dumitru  was  ush- 
ered in. 

"  Pardon,  Princess,  but  I  have  news — important  news. 
It  could  not  wait." 

"You  are  welcome,  good  Dumitru.  Does  the  news 
mean  action  ?  Such  is  the  only  news  I  long  for  now." 

"Yes,"  was  the  answer.  "This  English  Captain  is 
about  to  move.  Whether  he  has  the  token  or  not  I  do  not 
know,  but  Baron  Petrescu  believes  he  has.  Last  night  he 
picked  a  quarrel  with  him,  and  they  fought,  and " 


IN  THE  BOIS  135 

"  Fool  that  he  is ! "  exclaimed  the  Princess,  starting  from 
her  seat.  "  Does  not  the  Baron  know  that  I  had  work  for 
this  Englishman  ?  and  now  he  has  killed  or  maimed  him  in 
.a  useless  quarrel." 

"But  it  was  not  so,  Princess;  it  was  the  Baron  who 
fell." 

Frina  Mavrodin  had  also  risen  from  the  table,  her  hands 
clasped  firmly  together  in  her  excitement,  and  a  little  sigh 
of  relief  echoed  Dumitru's  words. 

"  A  new  experience  for  Baron  Petrescu,"  she  said  calmly. 

"Ah,  Countess,  this  Englishman  is  a  devil,"  the  man 
went  on  rapidly.  "I  had  it  from  one  who  watched  the 
fight.  There  was  little  moon,  and  the  light  was  dancing 
and  treacherous.  The  Baron  used  all  the  art  which  before 
has  brought  death  when  he  willed,  but  this  English  Cap- 
tain cared  not.  He  knew  all  the  Baron's  art,  and  besides 
something  which  the  Baron  knew  not.  The  Baron  would 
have  been  killed  had  not  those  who  were  watching  saved 
him." 

"  They  interfered  ?  "  said  the  Princess. 

"Yes,  to  save  the  Baron." 

"  They  did  not  stop  at  that  ?  "  said  the  Countess  eagerly. 
"Tell  me  what  happened." 

"  Have  I  not  said  he  is  a  devil  ?  "  answered  Dumitru. 
"They  rushed  upon  him  and  he  fought  them  all.  A 
sword  thrust  here,  a  blow  with  his  fist  there,  a  savage 
breaking  through  them,  and  he  escaped — unhurt." 

"  Splendid !"  exclaimed  Frina,  her  face  aglow. 

"Splendid,  Frina?  Is  not  the  Baron  our  friend?" 
Yet  there  was  a  glow  in  Maritza's  eyes,  too. 

"  And  is  not  Captain  Ellerey  the  man  you  have  work 
for?  You  should  rejoice." 

The  Princess  looked  at  her  for  a  moment,  and  then 
she  smiled. 


136  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"Yes,  it  was  splendid,  as  you  say.  What  more, 
Dumitru  ?" 

"The  friend  of  the  Englishman  was  killed,  I  think. 
He  was  of  the  Embassy.  There  will  be  much  question- 
ing over  the  affair." 

"  The  Baron's  folly  is  likely  to  ruin  us,"  said  the  Prin- 
cess. 

"  There  is  still  Captain  Ellerey,"  said  Frina. 

Dumitru  looked  at  the  Princess,  the  slightest  flicker 
in  his  eyes  attracting  her  attention. 

"I  am  not  sure  the  other  man  is  dead,"  he  said. 
"  Might  I  suggest  that  the  Countess  should  drive  as  usual, 
and  hear  what  is  said  in  the  Bois  ?  Then  to-night  we 
can  plan  and  arrange.  The  time  has  surely  come." 

"Will  you,  Frina?" 

"  I  will,  and  you  may  rest  assured  that  I  will  have  the 
whole  story  by  to-night." 

When  she  had  left  the  room  Princess  Maritza  turned 
hastily. 

"What  more,  Dumitru?" 

"  Much  more,  Princess ;  but  it  is  only  for  your  ears." 

Frina  Mavrodin  had  sped  along  the  corridor  so  swiftly 
that  she  did  not  hear  the  door  locked  after  her  to  prevent 
her  sudden  return  or  the  intrusion  of  others.  For  a  while 
she  had  no  thought  but  a  half-barbaric  satisfaction  that 
Baron  Petrescu  had  justly  suffered  for  his  unprovoked 
insult ;  but  this  was  succeeded  by  fears  for  Ellerey's  safety. 
He  had  escaped  last  night,  but  he  had  other  enemies 
besides  those  who  had  attempted  to  assassinate  him  in 
the  garden — more  dangerous  enemies,  perhaps.  She  de- 
termined to  know  nothing,  to  school  her  face  to  indiffer- 
ence, while  she  eagerly  learned  all  she  could. 

She  lunched  with  a  friend,  the  wife  of  a  member  of  the 
Austrian  Embassy  who  had  often  quite  unconsciously 


IN  THE  BOIS  137 

given  her  valuable  information,  but  she  could  add  nothing 
to  her  knowledge  to-day.  She  knew  Baron  Petrescu  had 
fought  a  duel  and  had  been  wounded,  but  she  did  not 
know  who  his  opponent  was.  Later,  in  the  Bois,  Frina 
heard  many  versions  of  the  story,  but  not  in  one  of  them 
was  Captain  Ellerey's  name  mentioned.  She  did  not 
understand  it.  There  was  some  undercurrent  of  intrigue 
going  on  of  which  she  was  ignorant.  Her  carriage  was 
drawn  up  to  the  side  of  the  road,  where  she  was  holding 
a  small  court  of  pedestrians,  when  she  caught  sight  of 
Lord  Cloverton.  It  was  seldom  that  he  walked  in  the 
Bois,  but  that  he  should  be  there  in  confidential  colloquy 
with  Monsieur  De  Froilette  was  nothing  short  of  marvel- 
lous. 

Lord  Cloverton  saw  the  Countess,  and  stopped  a  little 
distance  away.  He  wanted  to  speak  to  her,  but  had  no 
desire  that  De  Froilette  should  be  a  third  at  the  interview. 

"I  am  exceedingly  obliged  to  you,  monsieur,"  he  said 
to  his  companion.  "Any  information  respecting  Captain 
Ellerey's  whereabouts  just  now  will  be  of  immense  advan- 
tage to  me — that  is,  to  the  country.  He  is  one  of  those 
reckless  young  men  who,  while  winning  our  admiration, 
do  not  blind  us  to  the  fact  that  they  are  dangerous." 

"Ah,  I  have  admired  him  and  seen  the  danger  for  a 
long  time,"  De  Froilette  answered.  "The  commercial 
interests  I  have  in  this  country  force  me  to  keep  pace  with 
its  politics.  I  am  not  an  expert,  and  it  is  sometimes  very 
difficult." 

"  I  can  quite  believe  it,"  said  the  Ambassador,  looking, 
however,  wonderfully  incredulous.  "I  do  not  fancy  I 
have  ever  heard  in  which  direction  your  commercial 
interests  lie." 

"Timber,  my  lord." 

"A  profitable  business." 


138  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  I  hope  so  in  the  future.  At  present  there  is  too  much 
unrest.  With  the  Princess  Maritza  in  Sturatzberg " 

"In  that  I  think  you  are  mistaken,  monsieur." 

"No,  my  lord.  Mine  was  trusted  information. 
Through  the  same  channel  I  shall  learn  where  Captain 
Ellerey  is." 

"A  spy,  monsieur  ?" 

"He  would  be  hurt  to  hear  himself  called  so.  He  is 
a  servant  of  mine,  interested  in  my  business,  and  a  valua- 
ble fellow.  He  has  known  Captain  Ellerey's  movements 
for  months  past,  and  even  now,  I  warrant,  is  at  his  heels. 
You  shall  hear  from  me,  my  lord,  the  moment  he  returns." 

"A  thousand  thanks,  monsieur;  you  will  place  me 
under  an  obligation.  And  the  value  of  the  news  will 
depend  on  the  state  of  the  timber  trade,"  he  added  to 
himself  as  he  turned  away.  "Something  has  frightened 
Monsieur  De  Froilette;  I  wonder  what  it  is." 

Joining  the  little  crowd  round  the  Countess  Mavrodin, 
he  entered  into  the  conversation  with  the  heartiness  of  a 
man  who  hasn't  a  care  in  the  world;  and  one  by  one  the 
others  withdrew,  it  was  so  evident  that  the  Ambassador 
intended  to  remain.  Frina  Mavrodin  desired  nothing 
better.  Lord  Cloverton  could  doubtless  tell  her  the  truth, 
and  although  she  did  not  for  one  moment  expect  him  to 
do  so,  she  thought  she  could  probably  draw  it  from  him 
with  the  help  of  the  knowledge  she  already  possessed. 

"My  horses  are  getting  rather  restive,  they  have  been 
standing  so  long.  Will  you  drive  with  me,  Lord  Clover- 
ton?" 

He  thanked  her  and  got  in  beside  her. 

"  One  seldom  sees  you  in  the  Bois,"  she  said. 

"  No.  I  will  be  honest.  I  sometimes  sleep  in  the 
afternoon,  Countess." 

"  And  to-day  ?  "  she  queried,  with  a  laugh. 


IN  THE  BOIS  139 

"  To-day  business  brought  me.     I  hoped  to  see  you." 

"Surely  you  flatter  me.  Since  when  have  you  con- 
sidered me  capable  of  being  business-like  ?  " 

"I  am  all  seriousness,  Countess.  Politics  in  Sturatz- 
berg  are  as  dried  wood  stacked  ready  for  burning,  and  a 
torch  is  already  in  the  midst  of  it.  Until  now  the  torch 
has  been  moved  hither  and  thither,  giving  the  wood  no 
time  to  catch;  but  now  I  fear  the  flame  is  held  steadily. 
I  seem  to  hear  the  first  sounds  of  the  crackling." 

"I  seem  to  have  heard  the  beginning  often,"  she 
answered,  "but  a  swift  hand  has  always  saved  the  situa- 
tion." 

"  The  danger  has  never  been  so  imminent  as  it  is  now, 
Countess." 

"Are  you  not  still  in  Sturatzberg  to  cope  with  the  dan- 
ger ?  "  she  asked,  turning  to  him  with  a  radiant  smile. 

"I  stand  alone,  Countess;  what  can  one  man  do?  I 
wonder  whether  you  can  credit  me  with  disinterestedness, 
whether  you  can  believe  that  I  have  the  welfare  of  this 
country  at  heart  while  carrying  out  the  policy  of  my  own  ?  " 

"  Is  not  that  the  position  of  every  Ambassador  ?  " 

"Nominally,  perhaps.  I  was  asking  you  to  believe 
something  more  definite  in  my  case,"  he  returned.  "Do 
I  ask  too  much?  In  a  measure,  you  and  I  are  drawn 
together  in  this  crisis.  We  should  be  allies." 

"Are  my  poor  wits  of  service  either  way  ?  " 

"A  woman  is  always  a  valuable  ally,  and  the  Countess 
Mavrodin  knows  her  power.  No,  I  am  beyond  turning 
pretty  speeches  to-day,"  he  went  on  quickly;  "the  times 
are  too  serious  for  them.  You  know,  Countess,  what 
occurred  last  night?" 

"I  left  the  palace  somewhat  early,"  she  said;  "but 
there  was  an  air  of  constraint  about.  What  caused  it, 
Lord  Cloverton?" 


140  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"I  was  referring  to  Baron  Petrescu's  affair.  No  one 
has  talked  of  anything  else  to-day." 

"And  you  can  tell  me  the  truth  of  it,"  she  exclaimed. 
"I  am  glad.  I  have  heard  many  stories  since  I  entered 
the  Bois." 

"I  was  expecting  to  hear  the  real  truth  from  you," 
said  the  Ambassador,  fixing  his  eyes  upon  her. 

"From  me!  Am  I  the  wife  of  some  bourgeois  in  the 
city  to  inflame  the  Baron's  susceptibilities  into  indiscre- 
tion ?  It  is  some  such  tale  I  have  heard." 

"  But  which  you  knew  to  be  untrue,  Countess." 

"I  have  thought  more  highly  of  Baron  Petrescu  than 
that,  I  admit." 

"  Naturally,  seeing  that  Captain  Ellerey  is  not  a  bour- 
geois of  the  city,  and  has  no  wife  as  far  as  I  know.  My 
young  countryman  is  no  boaster  beyond  his  worth,  it  would 
seem.  The  Baron  has  found  his  match." 

"  Is  that  the  truth  of  it  ?  "  she  asked  innocently. 

"I  congratulate  you  upon  your  champion,"  returned 
the  Ambassador.  "You  look  surprised,  Countess;  but 
in  the  inner  circle  of  such  a  Court  as  we  have  here  in 
Sturatzberg  such  secrets  will  find  a  tongue." 

"You  have  changed  your  serious  mood,  my  lord,  it 
appears,  and  I  am  at  a  loss  to  understand  the  pleasantry." 

"Believe  me,  Countess,  I  was  never  more  serious. 
Something  of  the  Baron's  political  leanings  are  known  to 
his  Majesty,  and  the  affair  has  assumed  a  political  signifi- 
cance in  his  eyes.  The  law  has  lain  dormant,  it  is  true, 
but  duelling  is  an  offence  against  the  crown,  and  the  King 
has  seen  fit  to  set  the  law  in  motion.  Captain  Ellerey  is 
sought  for  in  Sturatzberg.  I  would  do  my  countryman, 
and  you,  a  service  if  I  could." 

"  How  am  I  concerned  ?  I  may  thank  you  for  your 
courtesy  if  you  will  tell  me  that." 


IN  THE  BOIS  141 

"  Is  it  not  true  that  you  were  the  cause  of  this  quarrel  ?  " 

"  It  is  absolutely  false." 

"  Stay,  Countess,  it  may  be  that  you  are  unaware  of  the 
fact,  but  I  have  the  best  reason  for  knowing  that  such  is 
the  case." 

"  Captain  Ellerey  had  no  cause  to  draw  sword  on  my 
behalf,  Lord  Cloverton;  neither  of  his  own  wish,  nor  at 
my  bidding,  did  he  do  it." 

"Strange,"  mused  the  Ambassador.  "It  is  evident 
that  he  thought  of  only  one  person  last  night.  He  left 
instructions  with  his  second  that  you  were  to  be  imme- 
diately informed  if  any  harm  befell  him.  He  left  no  other 
message  or  remembrance  to  anyone." 

She  was  not  sufficient  mistress  of  herself  to  prevent  the 
Ambassador  noting  that  the  information  was  pleasant  to 
her. 

"It  may  have  been  presumption  on  his  part,"  he  went 
on  slowly;  "still  such  thought  can  hardly  be  without 
some  interest  for  you.  No  doubt  you  would  render  him 
a  service  if  you  could." 

"  My  friendship  would  prompt  me  to  do  so." 

"Then  urge  him,  Countess,  to  withdraw  from  Sturatz- 
berg.  The  torch  now  put  to  the  dried  wood  is  in  his  hand. 
What  is  he  to  me  ?  Nothing;  but  I  would  save  him  if  I 
could.  What  he  is  to  you,  I  do  not  know.  I  am  not 
skilled  with  women ;  but  for  your  country's  sake  urge  his 
departure.  It  must  be  done  promptly,  for  I  warn  you  the 
fire  has  already  caught  hold,  and  not  all,  even  now,  shall 
escape  the  burning." 

"Your  appeal  to  my  patriotism  might  stir  me,  Lord 
Cloverton,  did  I  know  where  to  find  Captain  Ellerey." 

"  In  that,  Countess,  I  cannot  help  you.  I  had  hoped 
you  would  know.  Have  I  your  permission  to  stop  the 
carriage  ?  " 


142  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

She  inclined  her  head.  They  had  returned  close  to 
the  spot  from  which  they  had  started.  There  were  fewer 
carriages  in  the  Bois,  and  hardly  any  pedestrians  now. 
Lord  Cloverton  had,  however,  seen  a  man  standing  close 
to  the  roadway,  and  he  beckoned  him  to  the  carriage. 

"  What  news  ?  "  he  asked  sharply. 

"Every  gate  is  closely  watched,  my  lord.  By  the 
King's  orders  Captain  Ellerey  is  to  be  stopped  if  he  attempts 
to  leave  the  city." 

"I  fear  we  are  too  late  to  render  any  service,"  said 
the  Ambassador,  turning  to  the  Countess.  "  It  is  a  pity. 
The  hand  that  holds  the  torch  can  hardly  escape." 

"It  is  not  thought  that  the  Captain  has  already  left, 
but  all  efforts  to  find  him  have  failed,"  said  the  man,  and 
then  at  a  sign  from  Lord  Cloverton  he  withdrew. 

"  I  believe  we  are  allies  at  heart,  Countess ;  it  is  a  pity 
we  have  no  power  to  act." 

"Perhaps  you  exaggerate  the  danger." 

"  I  fear  not,"  he  answered,  as  he  stepped  from  the  car- 
riage. "I  foresee  evil  days  for  Sturatzberg.  Good-day, 
Countess;  if  I  can  save  the  situation,  it  must  be  by  the 
sacrifice  of  my  countryman,  I  fear.  It  is  a  pity." 

He  stood  bareheaded  until  the  carriage  had  driven 
away,  and  then  went  quickly  toward  the  Embassy.  If 
Frina  Mavrodin  knew  where  Captain  Ellerey  was,  as  Lord 
Cloverton  was  convinced  she  did,  she  would  warn  him. 
Whatever  interests  Ellerey  had  at  heart,  he  would  not 
chance  disaster  by  attempting  to  leave  the  city  until  the 
watch  upon  the  gates  was  relaxed  to  some  extent.  There 
must,  therefore,  be  delay  in  whatever  plot  was  in  hand, 
and  a  few  days  now  were  of  priceless  value. 

Politics  had  little  place  in  Frina  Mavrodin's  thoughts 
as  she  drove  homeward  through  the  city.  She  had  denied 
that  Desmond  Ellerey  had  drawn  sword  in  her  cause,  and 


IN  THE  BOIS  143 

yet  might  he  not  have  done  so  after  all  ?  What  she  had 
seen  might  only  have  been  the  end  of  a  quarrel.  Baron 
Petrescu  may  have  spoken  some  light  word  concerning 
her  which  Ellerey  had  resented.  If  Lord  Cloverton  had 
spoken  the  truth,  Ellerey 's  last  thought  had  been  of  her. 
She  was  quite  content  that  her  fair  fame  should  rest  in 
his  keeping.  Now  he  was  in  danger.  Whatever  Lord 
Cloverton's  aims  might  be,  one  thing  was  certain — the 
city  gates  were  closed  against  Ellerey 's  departure.  With- 
out warning  he  would  almost  certainly  be  taken.  How 
could  she  help  him? 

There  was  confusion  at  her  door  when  the  carriage 
stopped.  Servants  were  in  the  hall  expectantly  awaking  her. 

"  What  is  it  ?  "  she  asked. 

"In  your  absence,  Countess,  we  were  powerless," 
answered  her  major-domo,  pale  even  now  with  indigna- 
tion. "The  order  was  imperative." 

"What  order?" 

"  The  order  to  search  the  house." 

The  Countess  started,  but  was  self-possessed  again 
in  a  moment.  Not  all  her  servants  knew  of  the  identity 
of  the  Princess. 

"  For  whom  were  they  looking  ?  " 

"For  an  English  Captain  named  Ellerey,"  was  the 
answer.  "  I  said  that  no  such  person  visited  here  at  any 
time,  but  they  would  not  believe  me,  and  searched  the 
whole  house." 

"And   found— 

"No  one,  Countess." 

The  man  was  wise;  he  said  no  more  before)  the  other 
servants. 

"  I  will  complain  to  his  Majesty,"  Frina  answered,  and 
then  she  went  quickly  to  the  apartments  occupied  by  the 
Princess  Maritza.  Hannah  met  her  on  the  threshold. 


144  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  Has  she  not  returned,  my  lady  ?  " 

"Where  is  she?  How  did  she  have  warning?"  asked 
Frina. 

"  She  had  gone  long  before.  She  went  without  a  word 
to  me.  When  they  came  asking  for  some  Englishman, 
I  had  just  wit  enough  to  answer  that  I  was  your  ladyship's 
servant,  and  knew  no  Englishman;  but  it  was  hard  work 
not  to  ask  them  what  had  become  of  my  Princess." 

"AndDumitru?" 

"Gone,  gone.  I  always  took  him  for  a  cut-throat 
with  that  naked  knife  hidden  in  his  shirt.  I  believe  he 
has  made  away  with  her." 

"Peace,  woman.  Say  nothing.  A  word  may  ruin 
her.  You  can  go." 

"But,  my  lady- 

"  You  can  go,  I  say." 

There  was  a  tone  in  the  command  that  brooked  no 
disobedience.  The  woman  left  the  room  hastily,  leaving 
the  Countess  alone. 

Alone.  A  wild  rush  of  thoughts  overwhelmed  her. 
The  hope  and  joy  that  had  budded  in  her  heart  were 
suddenly  blighted.  The  world  seemed  to  slip  away  from 
her,  leaving  her  alone  indeed. 


CHAPTER  XII 

GRIGOSIE 

THE  Toison  d'Or  was  an  ancient  inn  standing  back  from 
the  Bergenstrasse  and  reached  by  a  narrow  court.  It 
did  not  advertise  itself,  was  not  easily  found,  and  its  fre- 
quenters were  few.  Those  who  used  it  seemed  to  use  it 
often,  for  the  landlord  welcomed  them  like  old  friends. 
They  were  of  the  poorer  sort,  and  the  want  of  comfort  in 
the  place  did  not  disturb  them ;  perhaps  the  quality  of  the 
liquor  made  amends. 

It  presented  a  narrow  front  to  the  court,  the  great 
walls  on  either  side  appeared  to  have  squeezed  it.  The 
two  little  windows  above,  the  signboard  flat  against  the 
wall,  and  the  single  door  rather  suggested  a  face;  and 
the  door,  out  of  the  perpendicular,  looked  strangely  like 
a  mouth  awry  uttering  a  cry  of  pain.  The  building  was 
deep,  however,  and  there  was  a  long,  narrow,  low-pitched 
room  at  the  rear,  of  which  all  the  frequenters  of  the  place 
were  not  aware.  This  room,  even  in  broad  daylight, 
was  dim,  and  it  grew  dark  there  early.  It  was  still  light 
in  the  wider  streets  of  the  city,  but  in  this  room  a  candle 
was  burning  on  the  corner  of  a  table,  beside  which  a  man 
sat.  He  had  pushed  back  the  remains  of  a  meal,  and  his 
fingers  played  reflectively  with  the  tankard  which  the 
landlord  had  replenished  a  few  moments  before. 

The  landlord  had  asked  no  questions,  had  attempted 
no  conversation.  When  Desmond  Ellerey  had  entered 
and  called  for  liquor,  he  had  made  a  sign  to  the  landlord 
10 


146  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

as  he  had  been  instructed,  and  which  was  perfectly  under- 
stood. Two  men  were  drinking  in  the  doorway  at  the 
time,  and  when  they  had  gone  the  landlord  led  Ellerey  to 
the  long  room. 

"There  will  be  inquiries  for  me,  landlord.  Whoever 
gives  the  sign  bring  him  in  at  once,  but  no  one  else,  mind." 

The  landlord  nodded. 

"  Let  me  have  food  and  drink.  I  care  not  what  so  there 
is  plenty  of  it.  I  have  not  broken  fast  since  yesterday." 

Throwing  aside  one  cloak  which  he  carried  over  his 
arm,  and  loosening  the  one  he  wore,  Ellerey  disclosed 
the  fact  that  he  was  well  armed,  and  booted  and  spurred 
for  a  journey.  Earlier  in  the  day  Stefan  had  met  him  at 
a  tavern  in  the  city,  bringing  these  clothes  with  him  as 
directed  in  the  note  which  the  boy  had  delivered.  The 
remains  of  the  Court  uniform  which  he  had  worn  last 
night  had  been  hidden  away,  and  there  was  nothing  now 
in  Ellerey's  dress  to  mark  him  as  a  King's  officer. 

He  had  already  waited  three  hours,  or  more,  and  began 
to  grow  impatient.  The  men  who  had  been  chosen  for 
this  desperate  service  were  already  on  their  way  to  the  place 
of  rendezvous,  and  men  of  this  description  were  wont  to 
fret  at  delay  and  inactivity.  He  wanted  to  be  away  him- 
self, and  until  he  had  the  Queen's  token  safely  in  his 
possession  he  could  not  put  aside  his  fears  that  it  would 
not  come,  that  something  had  happened  to  prevent  her 
sending  it.  The  King's  sudden  interruption  last  night 
might  have  forced  her  to  change  her  plans,  might  possibly 
have  caused  her  to  sacrifice  him  to  save  herself.  At  the 
best,  delay  must  be  dangerous,  and  he  chafed  at  his  en- 
forced idleness,  which  made  the  minutes  drag. 

At  last  the  door  opened  and  a  man  entered.  It  was 
the  same  man  who  had  come  to  summon  him  to  the  audi- 
ence last  night. 


GRIGOSIE  147 

"  You  are  welcome,"  Ellerey  said.  "  I  began  to  think 
some  circumstance  had  intervened." 

"  We  have  only  just  escaped  such  a  calamity,"  was  the 
answer.  "  By  some  means  Lord  Cloverton  had  received 
information  of  our  plans.  In  the  presence  of  the  King, 
immediately  after  your  departure,  he  accused  her  Majesty 
of  trafficking  with  the  brigands  in  the  hills,  and  challenged 
her  to  show  the  bracelet.  It  was  fortunate  that  the  Queen 
could  do  so,  and  indignantly  demand  apology.  The 
first  move  is  much  in  our  favor,  for  the  accusation  made 
the  King  extremely  angry,  and  the  British  Ambassador 
is  in  ill  favor  to-day.  His  hands  are  tied  for  a  little  while, 
at  any  rate." 

"  That  I  would  believe  if  I  saw  the  knotted  cords  about 
his  wrists,  but  not  otherwise,"  Ellerey  answered.  "  My 
worthy  countryman  is  not  so  easily  beaten." 

"It  is  true  her  Majesty  bid  me  warn  you,  but  without 
the  King  what  can  he  do  ?" 

"  He  is  capable  of  anything,  and  has  the  English  vice, 
or  virtue — it  depends  on  the  point  of  view — of  never  know- 
ing when  he  has  got  the  worst  of  it." 

"Her  Majesty  is  fortunate  in  also  having  an  English- 
man for  her  messenger. " 

"Thank  you,  monsieur.  I  think  there  is  something 
of  the  same  spirit  in  me." 

"There  is  the  token,  Captain  Ellerey,"  and  the  man 
handed  him  a  small  sealed  box.  "The  streets  are  yet 
full,  so  it  would  be  wise  to  delay  your  departure  for  a  while. 
Her  Majesty  also  bid  me  give  you  this,  an  earnest  of  what 
shall  fall  to  the  share  of  her  successful  messenger." 

In  Ellerey's  palm  lay  a  ring,  the  jewel  in  it  catching 
light  even  from  the  feeble  ray  of  the  candle.  For  one 
moment  Ellerey  was  disposed  to  refuse  the  gift  until  he 
had  earned  it,  the  independence  of  the  Englishman  rising 


148  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

in  him;  but  a  brief  hesitation  gave  the  spirit  of  the  ad- 
venturer opportunity  to  rise  uppermost.  He  might  fail, 
and  for  his  life  be  compelled  to  leave  Sturatzberg.  It 
would  be  some  consolation  not  to  go  altogether  empty- 
handed. 

"I  thank  her  Majesty,"  he  said.  "I  shall  keep  it  as 
a  key  to  win  her  further  favor  should  I  deserve  it." 

"Then  I  will  leave  you,  Captain  Ellerey.  Fortune 
smile  on  you  and  on  the  cause." 

As  the  door  closed  upon  his  visitor,  Ellerey  secured 
the  sealed  box  and  the  ring  about  his  person  in  such  a 
fashion  that  the  treasure  lay  close  to  the  skin.  While 
life  was  in  him  no  one  should  rob  him  of  it.  Then  he  sat 
down  to  possess  his  soul  in  patience  until  the  streets  should 
grow  dark  enough  and  empty  enough  for  his  departure. 

It  was  market  day,  and  he  had  elected  to  go  by  the 
Southern  Gate  at  the  hour  when  many  would  be  leaving 
the  city  on  their  homeward  journey.  He  had  no  desire 
to  be  recognized,  and  he  hoped  to  pass  unnoticed  in  the 
crowd.  Stefan  had  arranged  to  have  his  horse  waiting 
for  him  at  a  forester's  cottage  off  the  Breslen  road,  a  mile 
from  the  city.  By  making  the  meeting-place  in  the  forest 
toward  Breslen,  precaution  was  taken  that  should  riders 
be  seen  going  in  this  direction  their  real  destination  would 
never  be  suspected.  The  brigands  lay  in  the  mountains 
near  the  Drekner  pass,  in  exactly  the  opposite  direction 
to  Breslen,  and  a  wide  detour  round  Sturatzberg  would 
have  to  be  accomplished  when  the  united  band  set  out  in 
earnest  upon  its  expedition.  The  token  was  at  last  in 
his  possession,  his  comrades  awaited  him,  and  Ellerey 
was  anxious  to  be  gone.  But  he  was  not  the  man  to  fail 
by  being  too  precipitate.  None  knew  better  the  value  of 
deliberate  caution,  and  with  Lord  Cloverton  fully  alive 
to  the  danger,  there  might  be  many  obstacles  to  face  which 


GRIGOSIE  149 

had  not  entered  into  his  calculations.  So  Ellerey  sat  there 
waiting,  while  the  candle  burnt  lower,  casting,  as  the  room 
darkened,  a  sharper  outline  of  his  figure  upon  the  wall. 

"Time,  surely,  now!"  he  exclaimed  at  last,  starting 
to  his  feet.  "Landlord." 

The  door  opened  so  suddenly  that  the  handle  must 
have  been  turned  even  as  Ellerey  shouted.  But  it  was 
not  the  landlord  who  entered.  Two  figures  came  in 
swiftly  and  closed  the  door. 

"Pardon,  Captain  Ellerey." 

"Well,  sirs,  what  would  you  with  me?  I  have  little 
time  to  waste.  I  have  already  called  the  landlord  to  pay 
my  reckoning,"  and  as  he  spoke  Ellerey  raised  the  candle 
above  his  head  to  see  what  manner  of  men  his  visitors 
were. 

"Friends,  Captain,"  said  the  foremost  of  the  two, 
making  the  same  sign  which  had  gained  admittance  for 
the  bearer  of  the  token. 

He  was  a  man  of  set  features  with  a  pair  of  keen  eyes 
deeply  sunken.  His  figure  was  lithe  and  sinewy,  his 
movements  quick  and  not  ungraceful.  His  dress  was  of 
the  better  peasant  class,  a  short  knife  was  sheathed  in 
his  girdle,  and  one  hand  rested  lightly  on  the  hilt  of  it  as 
he  stood  motionless  under  the  Captain's  scrutiny.  He 
might  have  been  a  forester.  His  companion  stood  silently 
in  the  shadows  behind  him. 

"By  that  sign  you  should  know  the  business  I  have 
in  hand,  and  that  I  have  no  time  to  waste  in  words." 

"True,  Captain.  We  are  from  her  Majesty,  and 
know  that  the  token  has  been  delivered  into  your  keeping 
here  to-night.  You  have  comrades  waiting  for  you,  but 
too  few,  such  is  the  Queen's  opinion,  and  she  bid  us  join 
your  company." 

"I  do  not  like  the  arrangement,"  Ellerey  answered. 


150  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"My  comrades  are  picked  men  that  I  know  the  muscles  of. 
I  know  nothing  of  you." 

"It's  a  poor  welcome,  Captain,  but  it  must  serve.  I 
have  other  news  for  you  which  may  increase  our  value." 

"  You  run  on  too  fast,  my  friend,"  said  Ellerey.  "  Your 
coming  at  this  eleventh  hour  ill  fits  with  my  precaution." 

"We  have  horses  without  the  city,  Captain;  we  are 
not  ill  conditioned  for  the  enterprise." 

"You  may  pass  muster  for  a  man.  What  is  your 
name  ?  " 

"Anton." 

"You  have  muscle  enough  to  strike  a  good  blow  on 
occasion,  but  I  know  naught  of  your  courage.  And  your 
companion  there,  what  of  him  ?  Step  into  the  light  and 
let  me  look  at  you.  How  are  you  called  ?  " 

"  Grigosie,  if  it  please  you,  Captain." 

He  stepped  out  of  the  shadow  as  he  spoke,  and  with 
his  arms  folded  across  'his  breast,  threw  back  his  head 
defiantly,  as  though  such  inspection  were  little  to  his  taste. 
He  was  a  lad  in  figure  and  in  voice.  His  face  was  innocent 
of  even  the  down  of  dawning  manhood.  His  limbs  were 
clean  cut  and  supple,  but  they  looked  too  young  for  stern 
endurance.  His  dress  was  similar  to  his  companion's  save 
that  it  was  green  in  color,  and  he  wore  a  cap  of  green  drawn 
down  to  his  brows. 

"  You're  a  good-looking  boy  enough,"  laughed  Ellerey, 
"  but  Heaven  forgive  her  Majesty.  Does  she  think  I  am 
bent  on  some  summer  picnic  that  she  sends  a  child  to  bear 
me  company?" 

"We  are  wont  to  go  together,  Captain.  Grigosie  is 
a  good  scout,  and  I  warrant  is  likely  to  prove  useful,"  said 
Anton. 

"  For  cooking  and  bedmaking  maybe.  We  shall  have 
little  opportunity  for  either  one  or  the  other." 


"YOU  WILL  PARDON   ME,  COUNTESSI 


GRIGOSIE  151 

"Nor  should  I  do  either  of  them  except  of  my  own 
will,"  said  the  lad. 

"A  stroke  or  two  of  the  whip  would  make  you  tell  a 
different  tale,"  said  Ellerey;  "and  you  may  thank  your 
lucky  fortune  that  I  will  not  take  you,  for  the  whip  would 
certainly  follow." 

"  I  have  heard  of  Captain  Ellerey,"  said  the  boy,  "  but 
never  that  he  was  a  bully." 

Ellerey  looked  at  him  quizzically. 

"  Well,  lad,  I  did  not  mean  to  hurt  your  feelings.  You 
do  not  lack  courage,  and  you'll  grow  into  a  stout  man  for 
rough  work  some  day.  In  this  expedition  I  cannot  use 
you." 

"  I  can  use  a  sword  and  am  a  master  of  fence,  and  the 
sword  is  not  the  only  weapon  which  victory  hangs  upon." 

"  Peace,  Grigosie ;  I  will  give  the  Captain  an  excellent 
reason  for  taking  you." 

"Peace,  yourself,  Anton.  Am  I  to  be  taken  out  of 
charity  ?  Set  me  to  prove  my  worth,  Captain." 

"I  have  no  time,  lad,"  said  Ellerey,  picking  up  his 
cloak.  "  Anton  may  come  since  we  are  few,  but " 

"  There  is  a  fly  on  the  wall,  Captain." 

"  Well,  what  of  it  ?     You  are  a  strange  lad. " 

"It  is  gone,  I  warrant;  but  in  case  I  have  missed — 
darkness." 

Two  revolver  shots  cracked  in  quick  succession  as  he 
spoke,  and  the  room  was  in  darkness.  Then  the  land- 
lord rushed  in. 

"The  candle  is  out;  light  it  again,  landlord,"  said  the 
boy,  and  then  when  it  had  burnt  up  he  pointed  with  the 
revolver  to  the  spot  where  the  fly  had  been  and  where  now 
there  was  a  hole.  "  I  do  not  think  I  missed." 

"Leave  us,  landlord,"  said  Ellerey.  "It  was  the  de- 
ciding of  a  foolish  boast." 


152  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

The  lad  slipped  the  revolver  into  his  pocket  again  and 
refolded  his  arms. 

"  That  was  a  foolish  jest,  youngster,"  Ellerey  said.  "  Do 
you  think  such  boastfulness  fits  you  for  such  work  as  ours  ?" 

"There  are  few  who  could  have  done  it,"  was  the 
answer. 

"True." 

"Such  precision  might  serve  you  were  your  enemies 
three  to  one." 

"True  again." 

"Then  ask  me  to  go  with  you,"  was  the  prompt 
reply. 

"  May  I  not  even  take  you  out  of  charity  ?  " 

The  lad  shook  his  head  with  a  smile,  and  there  was 
something  very  winning  in  his  smile. 

"  Very  well.     Will  you  come  with  me  ?  "  asked  Ellerey. 
•       "To  the  death." 

"  Your  hand  on  that  bargain." 

"  I'll  earn  the  grip  of  comradeship  before  I  take  it, 
Captain.  Until  then  it  is  for  you  to  order,  be  it  to  cook- 
ing or  to  bedmaking." 

"  You'll  serve  for  sport  and  as  a  relief  to  monotony,  if 
for  nothing  else,"  said  Ellerey.  "  Orders,  then.  We  must 
be  starting." 

"You  have  not  heard  my  further  news,"  said  Anton. 
"  It  is  not  time  to  start  yet." 

?       Ellerey  turned  upon  him  angrily.     Was  his  authority 
so  soon  to  be  questioned  ? 

"  Every  gate  is  closed  against  Captain  Ellerey  by  the 
King's  orders,"  said  Anton.  "  It  has  been  so  since  noon 
to-day." 

"  Is  the  scent  so  hot  already  ?  " 

"We  shall  leave  the  city,  but  not  yet.  The  lad  here 
will  show  us  the  way,"  Anton  answered. 


GRIGOSIE  153 

"  You  see  I  am  to  be  of  some  service  quickly,  Captain,'* 
said  Grigosie.  "Trust  me.  My  way  is  clear  enough, 
and  no  King's  order  has  power  to  bar  it.  We  must  wait 
a  little.  I  have  some  money  in  my  pouch;  may  I  pay  for 
liquor?" 

"You're  doing  me  good,  youngster,"  laughed  Ellerey. 
"Order  your  drinks,  and  tell  me  who  they  were  who 
fathered  and  mothered  you  that  you  have  such  wit.  You 
are  not  fashioned  after  the  usual  breed  in  Wallaria." 

"  I  am  of  the  pure  breed  which  is  being  forgotten  in  the 
bastard  race.  I  am  of  the  old  stock  reared  without  the 
city  walls.  Anton  can  answer  for  me." 

"That  I  can." 

The  drinks  were  brought,  but  the  lad  drank  sparingly. 
Ellerey  liked  him  none  the  worse  for  that.  If  wine  were 
found  upon  the  journey,  one  sober  comrade,  though  he 
were  a  lad,  might  be  more  profitable  than  half  a  dozen 
boasters.  The  boy  talked  brightly,  and  his  air  of  boast- 
fulness  fell  from  him.  There  was  a  tone  of  deference  to 
the  Captain  in  his  manner  which  sat  gracefully  on  his  young 
shoulders. 

"Were  it  not  that  they  brought  your  favor,  I  should 
regret  the  fly  and  the  candle,"  he  said  presently.  "  I  crave 
your  pardon." 

"Say  no  more  of  it.  We'll  give  you  better  marks 
before  long,  maybe." 

"You  carry  two  cloaks,  Captain.     How  is  that?" 

"  One  my  own,  one  I  borrowed  this  morning.  I  am 
going  to  leave  it  with  the  landlord  to  be  returned." 

"  Wear  it  until  we  are  free  of  the  city.  It  may  conceal 
you  from  some  prying  eyes.  I  warrant  you  are  well  looked 
for  to-night." 

"  Have  we  far  to  travel  to  this  exit  of  yours  ?  " 

"  Some  distance,  and  by  narrow  ways.     If  there  should 


154  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

be  prying  eyes  we  must  close  them  quickly.  We  want  no 
shouts  to  raise  a  rabble.  Is  it  not  time,  Anton  ?  " 

"Yes,  the  gates  have  been  closed  for  half  aa  hour." 

"Come,  then,"  said  the  lad.  "Must  we  go  through 
the  court  ?  " 

"  There  is  no  other  way,"  Anton  answered. 

"Then  Captain,  will  you  permit  that  Anton  and  I  go 
first?"  said  Grigosie.  "Follow  close  upon  our  heels; 
but  should  we  stop,  do  not  you;  overtake  us  and  push 
us  roughly  aside,  and  we  will  overtake  you  again  in  a 
moment.  Your  pardon  that  I  seem  to  lead  in  this  matter, 
but  I  know  the  road  we  must  take." 

Ellerey  returned  a  gruff  assent  to  the  arrangement. 
He  had  looked  into  the  boy's  eyes  and  seen  honesty  there, 
but  he  was  not  going  to  walk  carelessly,  for  all  that. 

The  inn  was  empty,  so  was  the  court,  and  there  were 
few  people  abroad  in  the  Bergenstrasse.  Grigosie  and 
Anton,  leading  the  way  by  scarce  a  dozen  paces,  turned 
almost  directly  from  the  main  thoroughfare  into  a  side 
street,  and  had  soon  turned  to  left  and  right  so  often 
that  Ellerey  would  hardly  have  found  his  way  back  to  the 
Toison  d'Or.  Not  once  did  they  stop,  and  if  they  looked 
back  to  see  that  their  companion  was  following  them, 
Ellerey  was  not  aware  of  the  fact.  He  kept  close  upon 
their  heels,  ready  to  stand  on  the  defensive  at  the  first  sign 
of  treachery,  but  he  took  little  notice  of  where  they  led 
him. 

Suddenly  a  street  corner  struck  him  as  familiar,  and 
the  next  moment  the  truth  flashed  upon  him.  It  was  the 
street  he  had  traversed  last  night.  At  the  bottom  there 
they  had  met  Baron  Petrescu.  Even  now  the  light  was 
dimly  burning  in  the  upper  window  as  it  had  been  then. 
Grigosie  and  Anton  stopped,  but  when  Ellerey  reached 
them  he  did  not  push  them  aside ;  he  stopped,  too. 


GRIGOSIE  155 

"  And  now  which  way  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Toward  the  light  yonder,"  Grigosie  answered. 

"  My  lad,  there  is  a  point  beyond  which  I  trust  no  one," 
said  Ellerey.  "  I  know  that  light." 

"It  marks  our  point  of  safety." 

"  Yours,  perhaps ;  not  mine." 

"  I  do  not  understand,  Captain." 

"If  you  are  innocent,  how  should  you?  If  you  are 
false,  why  should  you  ?  Last  night  I  had  an  appointment 
beneath  that  dim  lamp.  With  difficulty  I  escaped  with 
my  life." 

"  But  you  did  escape ;  you  know  how.  To-night  there 
will  be  no  duel.  We  shall  go  direct  to  that  door  in  the 
wall." 

Who  was  this  youngster  that  he  knew  so  much  ? 

"It  seems  to  me  a  desperate  chance  even  if  you  are 
honest  in  advising  it,"  said  Ellerey.  "Look  you,  lad, 
I  give  you  warning.  My  life  I  am  prepared  to  give,  but 
if  by  treachery  it  is  taken,  I'll  see  that  you  bear  me  com- 
pany on  that  journey,  even  as  you  have  sworn  to  follow 
me  to  the  death  on  the  other." 

"  I  am  content,"  was  the  short  answer.  "  Muffle  your 
cloak  about  your  face  and  leave  me  to  speak." 

They  went  together  toward  the  light,  and  Grigosie 
knocked  at  the  door  as  Baron  Petrescu  had  done.  There 
was  the  same  delay,  the  self -same  shaggy  head  was  thrust 
out  to  the  intruders.  Silence  reigned  again  until  the 
stentorian  voice  had  shouted,  and  then  the  clattering  and 
the  voices  started  instantly. 

The  man  led  them  aside  into  the  same  room. 

"Pass  us  out  through  the  garden  and  ask  no  ques- 
tions," said  Grigosie. 

"  Who  have  we  here  ? "  asked  the  man,  pointing  to 
Ellerey. 


156  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"Neither  ask  questions  nor  answer  any,"  Grigosie 
returned. 

"  That's  too  pert  a  tongue  to  satisfy  me,"  growled  the 
man.  "Signs  and  passwords  are  easily  stolen.  I'd 
sooner  let  some  one  bear  witness  with  me  after  last 
night." 

In  an  instant  the  lad  was  beside  him.  What  he  said 
was  in  so  low  a  tone  that  Ellerey  could  not  catch  a  word, 
but  the  effect  was  magical.  The  surly  brute  became  alert 
and  obsequious.  He  led  them  quickly  down  the  passage, 
and  opened  the  door  leading  into  the  garden.  Perhaps 
Grigosie  did  not  altogether  trust  him,  for  he  caught  him 
by  the  arm,  saying  that  he  should  see  them  safely  through 
the  garden,  and  Ellerey  noticed  that  Anton  was  particular 
to  keep  close  to  the  man. 

At  the  door  in  the  wall  the  boy  stopped. 

"Your  cloak,  monsieur,"  he  said,  turning  to  Ellerey 
"You  wish  it  returned,  do  you  not  ?  " 

Ellerey  gave  it  to  him  and  nodded,  but  did  not  speak, 

Grigosie  gave  the  cloak  to  the  man. 

"Theodor,  see  that  this  is  returned  to  Captain  Ward 
at  the  British  Embassy.  Send  it  by  a  trusted  messenger, 
and  let  him  say  that  he  had  it  from  Captain  Desmond 
Ellerey  to-night,  an  hour  before  midnight — mark  the  time 
— when  he  met  him  in  the  Konigplatz.  Good-night." 

The  man  bowed  low  as  he  opened  the  door  for  them. 
When  it  had  closed  upon  them  Grigosie  turned  to  Ellerey. 

"  Are  you  satisfied,  Captain  ?  " 

The  boy's  knowledge  astonished  Ellerey. 

"You  have  reproved  me  twice  to-night,  youngster; 
first  for  being  a  bully,  now  for  doubting  you." 

"My  anger  is  forgotten,"  laughed  the  lad.  "The 
cloak  was  a  good  thought.  They  will  know  that  you  were 
in  the  city  to-night,  and  they  will  search  Sturatzberg  for 


GRIGOSIE  157 

you  aH  day  to-morrow.  So  we  gain  time.  Our  horses 
await  us  on  the  Breslen  road ;  and  yours,  Captain  ?  " 

"Also  on  the  Breslen  road." 

"  Then,  Captain,  will  you  order  the  march  ?  My  brief 
command  is  over." 


CHAPTER   XIII 

THE   CASTLE   IN  THE   HILLS 

THE  first  light  of  a  new  day  awoke  a  chorus  of  blended 
voices  within  the  depths  of  the  forest.  The  early  matin 
praise  of  the  birds  rose  high  and  clear  above  the  low- 
hummed  hymn  of  the  insects.  The  trees  shook  out  their 
rustling  garments,  glorious  autumn  robes  of  color,  scat- 
tering the  dewy  tears  of  night  before  the  smiling  day. 
Among  the  fallen  leaves  were  hasty  rushes  to  and  fro, 
while  rabbits  flashed  across  the  narrow  open  tracts. 

There  was  stirring,  too,  in  a  dry  hollow  securely  hidden 
by  dense  undergrowth  from  any  traveller  who  chanced  to 
pass  that  way.  The  whinnying  of  a  horse  sounded  on 
the  morning  air,  the  rough  rubbing  of  leather  trappings, 
and  the  sharp  click  of  steel.  There  were  gruff  laughter 
and  gruffer  oaths,  man's  salutation  to  the  new  day,  and 
some  low  spoken  words  of  discontent. 

The  addition  to  their  number  was  not  pleasing  to  them. 
The  more  they  were,  the  less  would  each  man  receive  as 
reward,  they  argued.  Last  night  they  were  half-asleep, 
and  had  barely  roused  at  Ellerey's  coming.  The  men  who 
had  come  with  him,  they  supposed,  were  soldiers  of  fortune 
like  themselves,  men  they  knew,  and  even  they  were  not 
not  welcome;  but  with  morning  discontent  broke  out. 
The  new  arrivals  were  not  soldiers,  were  strangers  to  them, 
and  one  at  least  was  a  mere  lad.  What  good  was  he  in 
their  company? 

Stefan  did  not  complain.     He  noted  Anton  from  head 


THE  CASTLE  IN  THE  HILLS  159 

to  foot,  and  did  not  like  him.  He  looked  at  Grigosie  and 
he  laughed  aloud.  He  turned  to  find  Ellerey  close  beside 
him. 

"  This  is  the  first  day  of  the  festival,  then,  Captain  ?  " 

"Festival?" 

"  Surely  since  we  have  such  company.  Some  of  these 
fellows  might  have  brought  their  sweethearts  with  them 
had  they  known  the  kind  of  expedition  they  were  engaged 
for.  You  bid  me^  choose  carefully,  picked  men  who  held 
life  and  death  in  such  easy  balance  that  they  would  take 
whichever  happened  without  a  murmur;  and  now  you 
bring  us  a  lean  forester  who  is  good  for  naught  but  felling 
trees,  and  a  lad  whose  mother  might  still  whip  him  without 
offence." 

"The  lad  is  well  enough,  Stefan,  and  served  me  well 
last  night." 

"  Thank  him,  then,  and  send  him  home  again.  I  have 
a  message  to  send  into  the  city.  It  will  be  employment 
for  him  to  take  it." 

"No,  he  goes  with  us." 

"  There'll  be  much  grumbling,  Captain.  These  fellows 
like  comrades  they  know  the  stomach  of." 

"  I'll  answer  for  the  boy." 

"  You'd  best  do  it  quickly,  then,  or  there'll  be  one  or 
two  riding  back  into  Sturatzberg  as  yesterday  they  rode 
out." 

"  If  that  is  their  spirit  I'd  sooner  have  lads  like  yonder 
beside  me  in  a  tight  place,"  Ellerey  answered  angrily. 
Then  he  went  to  the  men  who  were  looking  to  their  saddle 
girths  preparatory  to  mounting.  "  Comrades,  we  have  a 
journey  before  us  which  may  run  smoothly,  but  which 
may  bring  us  hard  knocks.  The  reward  is  generous  to 
those  who  win  through.  Are  we  prepared  to  take  our 
chances  one  and  all  ?  " 


100  PRINCESS   MARITZA 

He  paused,  but  only  a  grunt  of  tardy  consent  answered 
him. 

"  Last  night  I  brought  two  others  to  join  in  our  enter- 
prise." 

"  What  need  of  them  ?"  growled  one  man,  "  and  one  of 
them  a  boy." 

"They  go  with  me  whoever  else  stays  behind,"  said 
Ellerey,  turning  quickly  to  the  man  who  had  spoken. 
"  Haven't  you  faith  enough  in  me  to  trust  my  discretion  ?" 

There  was  no  reply. 

"It  must  be  tacit  obedience,  swift  action  to  my  com- 
mand from  every  man  who  bears  me  company.  Mount." 

In  a  moment  every  one  was  in  his  saddle  excepting 
Ellerey  himself,  who  stood  with  his  horse's  bridle  over 
his  arm. 

"Yonder  lies  the  Breslen  road,  an  easy  morning's 
canter  into  Sturatzberg.  Who  likes  may  ride  that  way 
and  free  himself  from  my  authority." 

No  man  spoke  or  moved. 

"Then  are  we  comrades,  and  do  not  growl  among 
ourselves,"  said  Ellerey,  springing  into  his  saddle.  "  For- 
ward !  You  must  find  some  other  carrier  for  your  message, 
Stefan." 

"And  soon,  or  I'll  have  murder  on  my  soul,"  was  the 
answer,  as  the  troop  rode  singly  out  of  the  hollow  and 
picked  its  way  along  a  forest  track. 

It  was  high  noon  before  they  chanced  upon  a  wood- 
cutter and  his  boy. 

"Give  me  leave,  Captain,"  said  Stefan,  bringing  his 
horse  to  a  standstill.  "  Here's  one  may  take  my  message. 
Aye  there,  how  far  is  it  to  Sturatzberg  by  the  shortest 
road?" 

"Five  miles  by  foot,  but  riding  you'll  scarce  do  it  in 
ten,"  answered  the  woodcutter. 


THE  CASTLE  IN  THE  HILLS  161 

"  Will  you  or  the  lad  carry  a  message  there  ?  " 

"  To-morrow  I  would.  I  go  with  a  team  there,  taking 
timber." 

"To-morrow,"  mused  Stefan.  "Why  not?  He'll 
last  until  then.  Well,  then,  to-morrow.  Here's  a  key. 
Take  it  to  the  Altstrasse.  Do  you  know  the  Altstrasse  ?  " 

"Surely.     I  have  a  brother  living  there." 

"  To  the  Altstrasse — thirteen — to  the  house  of  Monsieur 
De  Froilette." 

"  I  have  heard  of  him." 

"Then  you  will  do  him  this  service,"  said  Stefan. 
"  Give  him  the  key,  and  say  that  if  he  has  lost  his  servant, 
this  key  fits  a  certain  cellar  door  in  a  certain  lodging  by 
the  Western  Gate.  He  will  guess  which  lodging.  His 
servant,  loving  wine  too  much,  lies  behind  that  cellar  door, 
howling  for  his  liberty." 

"  I'll  take  the  message." 

"  Here's  for  refreshment  by  the  way,"  said  Stefan,  toss- 
ing him  the  key  and  a  coin.  "  Monsieur  De  Froilette  will 
reward  you  liberally,  I  warrant." 

"And  who  shall  I  say  gave  me  the  key  ?" 

"  Say  a  woman  you  met  by  the  road,  if  your  conscience 
will  sanction  the  lie ;  if  not,  say  a  man,  and  word  my  picture 
as  you  please  so  that  you  make  it  handsome  enough.  But 
do  not  fail  to  deliver  the  message,  for  the  man  behind  that 
door  is  slowly  dying,  and,  if  you  do  not  go  to  his  rescue, 
will  surely  curse  you  from  his  grave." 

"  What  does  this  mean,  Stefan  ? "  Ellerey  asked,  as  the 
troop  rode  on,  laughing  at  their  companion. 

"Francois  was  watching  us,  and  saw  the  boy  who 
carried  your  message  to  me  yesterday.  He  came  to 
question  me,  thinking  me  a  fool,  and  went  with  me  to  the 
cellar  to  hear  my  story  and  to  drink  your  wine.  He  got 
no  story,  and  little  wine  for  that  matter,  unless  the  ropes 
11 


162  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

have  slipped  from  his  wrists  and  ankles.  I  tied  him  se- 
curely before  I  made  him  free  of  all  the  cellar  contained. 
He'll  be  wanting  food  badly  by  to-morrow,  when  his 
master  finds  him." 

"It  was  well  done,  Stefan.  We  want  no  spies  about 
us;  but  why  should  Monsieur  De  Froilette  spy  upon  me  ?" 

"  For  the  same  reason  that  a  hawk  watches  its  prey;  it's 
his  nature.  You  may  snatch  chestnuts  out  of  the  fire 
for  monsieur,  but  it's  only  the  charred  husks  will  be  your 
portion  if  the  dividing  is  left  to  him." 

All  that  day  they  kept  to  the  forest,  making  a  wide 
detour  round  Sturatzberg.  Progress  was  slow  along  the 
narrow  tracks,  and  they  went  singly  for  the  most  part, 
careful  of  their  horses'  steps.  That  night  they  lay  within 
a  circle  of  trees,  deep  hidden  in  the  woods  and  far  from  the 
road.  For  two  days  they  were  able  to  hold  to  the  forest, 
and  had  no  expectation  of  being  surprised.  They  met 
no  one  save  an  occasional  woodcutter  or  charcoal-burner, 
and  once  they  disturbed  some  robbers  who  were  perhaps 
near  the  place  of  their  hidden  booty.  On  the  third  day 
they  were  on  the  edge  of  the  forest,  and  much  open  country 
lay  between  them  and  the  mountains.  The  utmost  caution 
was  necessary  now. 

Ellerey  called  Grigosie  to  him. 

"  Anton  said  that  you  would  be  useful  at  scouting  work." 

"Yes,  Captain." 

"  You  will  go  forward  with  Stefan.  Use  your  eyes  and 
ears  well." 

The  lad  saluted,  and  presently  rode  out  with  Stefan. 
Anton  asked  to  go  with  them,  but  this  Ellerey  would  not 
allow.  He  was  glad  of  the  opportunity  of  separating 
Grigosie  from  his  companion  for  a  little  while.  He  had 
no  reason  to  suspect  them,  but  keeping  them  apart  was  a 
precaution.  Ellerey  had  instructed  Stefan  to  use  the  lad 


THE  CASTLE  IN  THE  HILLS  163 

well,  and  with  a  grim  smile  upon  his  face  the  soldier  rode 
with  his  youthful  companion,  keeping  silence  for  a  time. 

"You're  a  slip  of  a  lad  for  such  work  as  we  have  on 
hand,"  he  said  presently.  "  How  came  your  mother  to  part 
with  you  so  early  ?  " 

"  Rest  her  soul,  she's  dead." 

"Your  father,  then?" 

"  Dead  also,"  answered  Grigosie. 

"  Well,  you  knew  them,  and  understand  whether  their 
loss  was  a  big  one  or  not,"  said  Stefan.  "  Parents  haven't 
counted  for  much  in  my  case,so  I'm  not  qualified  to  speak 
of  their  usefulness.  You've  managed  to  grow  into  a  likely 
sort  of  lad.  Who's  had  the  training  of  you  ?  " 

"I'm  my  own  manufacture  for  the  most  part,"  an- 
swered Grigosie,  "but  I'm  not  too  proud  to  learn  from 
an  old  campaigner  like  you,  Stefan." 

The  soldier  drew  himself  up  in  his  saddle,  and  looked 
knowingly  at  his  young  comrade. 

"  There's  sense  in  you.  Maybe  I  can  teach  you  a  few 
things.  My  experience  has  been  wide  and  peculiar,  and 
if  you  listen  to  my  advice  and  model  your  fighting  on  mine, 
you'll  make  a  soldier,  not  of  my  girth,  perhaps,  for  that's  a 
gift  of  nature  and  not  to  be  had  for  the  asking." 

"No;  I  shall  always  be  of  the  lean  sort,  I  fear,"  said 
Grigosie. 

"  Don't  you  be  discouraged,  lad.  There's  often  good 
stuff  in  the  lean  ones.  It's  deep  potations  that  give  a  man 
breadth  sometimes,  and  his  habit  of  growling  strange  oaths 
that  gets  him  credit  for  valor." 

Grigosie  plied  him  with  questions,  and  heard  many  a 
strange  tale  of  fighting  in  which  Stefan  had  done  marvellous 
things. 

"Is  there  no  reward  for  bravery  in  Wallaria?"  said 
Grigosie  at  last.  "  How  is  it  that  no  great  distinction  has 
come  to  you  ?  " 


164  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

Stefan  turned  toward  him  and  shut  one  eye. 

"Dodge  the  distinctions,  lad,  as  you  would  the  devil. 
They  lead  to  Court  and  the  society  of  women,  two  things  to 
be  avoided." 

"Why  so,  Stefan?" 

"  Court  fetters  a  man  as  a  chain  does  a  dog,  and  is  un- 
natural, while  a  woman  is  the  keenest  weapon  in  all  the 
devil's  armory." 

"  I  have  heard  some  well  spoken  of,"  said  Grigosie. 

"And  they  are  the  most  dangerous,"  said  Stefan. 
"  Why  do  you  suppose  women  were  made  pretty  and  fash- 
ioned to  wear  pretty  clothes  ?  " 

"  Indeed  I  cannot  tell." 

"  To  conceal  their  natural  defects,  lad.  Whenever  you 
see  a  pretty  woman,  look  at  the  next  harridan  you  meet, 
and  remember  that  the  difference  between  them  is  only  on 
the  surface." 

"You  are  too  hard,  Stefan,"  said  Grigosie,  laughing 
heartily. 

"Wisdom,  youngster — the  ripe  wisdom  of  experience.'* 

"  I  wonder  whether  the  Captain  is  of  your  way  of  think- 
ing, Stefan." 

"  I  have  seen  him  pause  in  the  midst  of  his  drink  some- 
times, which  has  made  me  anxious." 

"  The  fetters  of  the  Court,  perhaps,"  said  Grigosie. 

"Seemed  to  me  it  was  more  like  a  woman,"  was  the 
answer. 

That  night  they  encamped  between  two  spurs  of  the 
lower  hills.  Two  hours  before  sunset  they  had  begun  to 
ascend  from  the  plain.  It  was  among  the  hills  they  would 
be  looked  for  as  soon  as  the  object  of  their  mission  were 
known ;  and  having  chosen  a  camping-ground  which  could 
easily  be  defended  against  odds,  Ellerey  placed  sentinels  to 
prevent  any  surprise. 


THE  CASTLE  IN  THE  HILLS  165 

The  camp-fire  was  pleasant  to  draw  close  to,  for  the 
night  was  cold.  Ellerey  lay  in  a  half-reclining  position, 
his  feet  stretched  toward  the  blaze ;  and  at  some  little  dis- 
tance on  the  opposite  side  the  men  were  sitting  in  a  circle 
playing  cards,  Grigosie  and  Anton  standing  beside  them, 
looking  on. 

"  There,  boy,  what  did  I  tell  you  ?  "  he  heard  Stefan  say 
as  he  turned  to  Grigosie.  "  A  woman  again  plays  me  false, 
and  it's  the  queen  of  hearts,  too." 

The  boy  laughed.  Evidently  he  and  Stefan  had  be- 
come fast  friends  during  their  day's  ride  together.  It  was 
a  merry  laugh,  pleasant,  Ellerey  thought,  after  the  gruffer 
tones  of  the  soldiers. 

Presently  the  boy  left  Anton's  side  and  threw  himself 
down  by  the  fire  near  Ellerey. 

"  Are  you  tired,  Grigosie  ?  " 

"  A  little.  Lately  I  have  not  been  used  to  so  many  hours 
in  the  saddle.  What  point  do  we  make  for  to-morrow  ?  " 

"  The  Drekner  pass.     Do  you  know  it  ?  " 

"  I  was  quite  a  youngster  when  I  last  crossed  it,"  was 
the  answer.  "  There  used  to  be  a  castle  there,  perched  on 
the  hill-side  like  an  eagle's  eyrie." 

"  So  many  years  cannot  have  passed  since  then  that  the 
castle  should  have  crumbled  away,"  said  Ellerey,  with  a 
smile .  "I  expect  it  is  still  there. ' ' 

"  You  do  not  know  the  pass,  then  ?  " 

"No." 

Grigosie  lapsed  into  silence,  and  then  after  a  while  he 
said  suddenly :  "  Some  day  I  hope  to  be  an  honored  soldier 
like  you  are,  Captain." 

"  Wish  better  things  for  yourself,  Grigosie." 

"  Are  you  not  honored,  then  ?  " 

"  Enough  to  be  given  a  dangerous  post." 

"  And  to  receive  good  reward  if  you  succeed.     The 


166  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

Queen  will  load  you  with  gifts — and,  perhaps,  greater  hap- 
piness still,  some  other  woman  will  smile  on  you." 

"  You  begin  to  think  of  such  things  over  early,"  Ellerey 
answered.  "  You'll  have  your  troubles  soon  enough  that 
way,  no  doubt." 

"  Already,  Captain." 

"  So  soon  ?  " 

"  This  is  a  southern  country,  and  we  begin  early.  Are 
you  a  woman-hater,  as  Stefan  is  ?  In  the  back  of  my  mind 
there  is  a  reverence  for  women." 

"Keep  it,  lad,  if  you  can;  it  may  bring  you  to  much 
good.  For  my  part,  I  hardly  know  my  position  in  the 
matter." 

"  Would  telling  the  tale  to  me  help  your  judgment  ?  " 
inquired  the  lad. 

"  A  man  does  not  speak  of  such  things  often,  Grigosie." 

"  Ah,  your  love  tale  has  advanced  some  way,  then.  It 
was  not  a  glance  and  a  passing  word,  and  a  thorn  left  in  the 
heart  to  hurt  terribly  at  times.  That  was  my  case." 

"  There  is  a  woman  I  deeply  respect  and  honor,"  said 
Ellerey.  "  To  love  her  would  be  much  to  my  advantage." 

"  Why  not,  then  ?  "  asked  the  boy. 

"  Because  of  a  memory,  the  memory  of  another  woman. 
With  her  it  was  a  passing  word  and  a  look;  but  they  came  to 
me  when  life  was  at  its  darkness,  and  I  have  never  forgotten 
them.  It  was  an  early  morning  in  England,  a  morning  that 
has  no  equal  in  the  whole  world,  full  of  sunshine  and  breeze 
and  perfume ;  and  she  came  into  it  suddenly  and  unexpect- 
edly. She  would  not  choose  to  remember  me  if  she  thought 
such  a  memory  lingered  in  my  heart.  She  was  out  of  my 
reach  even  then,  and  in  those  days  I  was  something  more 
than  a  Captain  of  Horse." 

"But  after  this  enterprise  you  will  be  something 
more." 


THE  CASTLE  IN  THE  HILLS  167 

"  I  cannot  become  a  Prince,  Grigosie,  and  my  lady  of 
the  breezy  morning  was  a  Princess." 

"  Really,  or  is  that  your  fanciful  name  for  her  ?  " 

"Really  a  Princess,"  Ellerey  answered.  "I  wonder 
why  I  should  be  telling  this  story  to  you  ?  " 

"  Is  there  not  sympathy  between  all  who  love  ?  "  Grigo- 
sie answered.  "  It  is  the  one  common  bond  there  is  in  the 
world,  knowing  no  difference  of  creed  or  nationality." 

For  two  days  the  little  band  journeyed  in  the  moun- 
tains, keeping  to  the  lower  track  on  account  of  the  horses. 
Progress  was  slow,  for  the  going  was  rough,  and  the  horses 
often  had  to  be  led.  The  track  lay  between  the  lower  hills 
and  the  main  mountain  range,  and  they  had  lost  sight  of  the 
open  country,  which  lay  below  them.  It  was  late  in  the  after- 
noon of  the  second  day  that  they  crossed  a  spur  which  jut- 
ted out  toward  the  plain,  and  from  its  vantage  ground 
Grigosie  was  the  first  to  point  out  the  head  of  the  pass,  a  pre- 
cipitous opening  in  the  mountains  to  their  left.  At  the 
same  time  Stefan,  looking  across  the  open  country,  pointed 
out  a  cloud  of  dust  on  the  horizon. 

"  That  means  a  moving  body  of  men,"  he  said. 

"  In  the  pass  lies  our  greatest  security  until  we  are  pre- 
pared to  meet  the  enemy,"  Ellerey  answered.  "If  that 
castle  of  yours  has  not  crumbled  to  dust,  Grigosie,  it  will 
make  excellent  quarters  for  us." 

The  Drekner  pass^  had  long  ago  ceased  to  be  used. 
Once,  doubtless,  it  was  the  highway  into  Wallaria  from  the 
north,  but  that  was  long  ago,  not  within  the  memory  of  the 
oldest  man.  Nature  herself  had  closed  the  way  by  casting 
a  great  spur  of  the  mountain  into  the  deepest  and  narrow- 
est part  of  the  defile.  It  was  still  possible  to  climb  this,  but 
it  had  effectually  closed  the  pass  for  all  useful  purposes ;  and 
the  castle,  which  in  old  times  had  been  used  to  guard  the  way, 
had  fallen  into  decay.  It  stood  gaunt  against  the  hillside 


168  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

upon  a  natural  plateau,  the  pathway  to  it,  long  and  zig-zag, 
cut  out  in  the  hillside.  Vegetation  had  taken  root  in  the 
crevices  of  its  broken  walls,  and  some  of  the  stonework, 
shivered  by  the  lightning  stroke  perhaps,  lay  in  the  road- 
way at  the  foot  of  the  hill.  Silence  reigned,  and  an  eagle 
hovering  on  the  heights  above  doubtless  had  his  eyrie  there. 
A  thin  stream  of  water  trickled  down  the  hillside,  finding 
its  way  from  the  snow  on  the  mountains,  which  reared 
white-hooded  heads  here  and  there  above  their  humbler 
brethren. 

"  My  castle  in  the  hills ! "  cried  Grigosie  enthuisastically 
as  a  turn  of  the  track  brought  it  in  view. 

"Peace,  Grigosie,  and  take  that  child's  chatter  of 
yours  to  the  rear,"  said  Ellerey.  Then  turning  to  Stefan, 
he  directed  him  and  another  of  the  men  to  climb  up  care- 
fully to  the  plateau.  "  Some  outpost  of  Vasilici's  may  hold 
it,"  he  remarked. 

Leaving  their  horses,  Stefan  and  his  companion  went 
up  the  zig-zag  way  and  were  lost  to  view.  It  seemed  a  long 
time  before  their  figures  stood  on  the  edge  of  the  plateau 
and  waved  to  their  comrades  to  ascend. 

"My  castle,  Anton,"  whispered  Grigosie.  "It  was  I 
who  told  them  that  it  stood  here." 

"  They  liked  not  your  claiming  it  so." 

"  They  will  forgive  much  to  my  youth,  even  if  I  am  put 
to  cooking  and  bedmaking  to-night  as  punishment," 
laughed  the  boy.  "You  shall  be  snug,  Anton,  and  know 
that  the  gods  are  with  us." 

The  incline  of  the  zig-zag  way  had  been  carefully  grad- 
uated so  that  it  was  possible  to  lead  horses  up,  and  they  all 
dismounted  and  went  singly.  At  the  top  of  the  path  a  stone 
gateway,  broken  and  of  small  service  now,  shut  in  the  pla- 
teau. This  was  the  only  means  of  reaching  the  castle,  and 
in  old  times  formed  the  first  point  of  defence. 


THE  CASTLE  IN  THE  HILLS  169 

"Empty,  but  an  airy  perch  to  spend  the  night,"  said 
Stefan,  meeting  them  at  the  gateway.  "  Here's  a  trysting 
place  for  every  wind  that  blows,  and  holes  enough  for  them 
to  whistle  through." 

This  was  evident.  The  walls  were  broken  in  every 
direction,  and  heaps  of  stonework  lay  scattered  on  all  sides. 

"  The  tower  yonder  seems  to  have  held  together,"  said 
Ellerey. 

"  Aye,  there's  fine  sleeping  room  there,  and  you  may  see 
the  stars  through  the  roof." 

But  the  tower  had  much  to  commend  it.  The  door 
that  closed  it  still  hung  upon  its  hinges,  and  in  the  lower 
chamber,  at  least,  there  were  no  rents  in  the  wall  save  the 
window  holes,  narrow  slits  in  the  outside,  but  widening 
inward  through  the  thickness  of  the  walls.  On  one  side 
stone  steps,  unprotected  in  any  way,  led  to  the  floor  above, 
which  was  entered  through  a  trap  door  still  in  place 
and  capable  of  being  bolted  down.  Here  the  walls  were 
broken  in  places,  and  part  of  the  roof  had  fallen.  More 
steps,  which  mounted  to  the  roof,  ended  abruptly  and  were 
•pen  to  the  sky.  A  turret  had  been  displaced  at  some  time 
and  had  crashed  through,  breaking  part  of  the  stairs  away. 

"  We  can  make  shift  to  stable  the  horses  between  some 
of  the  walls  outside,  and  ourselves  in  the  tower,"  said  El- 
lerey. "  It  might  be  worse,  Stefan,  and  with  fortune  our 
stay  will  be  short." 

"It  must  be  if  we're  to  live.  There  is  no  food  for  a 
siege,"  Stefan  answered. 

Meanwhile  the  men  had  unsaddled,  and  a  fire  was 
already  crackling  on  the  old  hearth.  There  was  promise 
of  comfort  for  the  night,  and  they  were  not  disposed  to 
grumble.  While  some  looked  to  the  horses,  others  made 
haste  to  prepare  a  meal.  A  kid  caught  earlier  in  the  day 
suggested  a  feast.  Others,  finding  a  broken  door,  made 


179  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

shift  to  set  it  on  four  stones,  improvising  a  table,  on  which 
they  set  out  the  wine  flasks  and  the  food  they  carried  with 
them,  while  one  man  paced  up  and  down  the  edge  of  the 
plateau  watching  the  mountains  opposite  and  the  pass 
beneath. 

Kid's  flesh,  even  when  roasted  over  a  wood  fire,  may 
not  be  to  the  taste  of  all  who  can  choose  their  viands,  but 
it  is  honest  food  for  all  that,  and  no  one  round  that  impro- 
vised table  uttered  a  word  against  it.  More  logs  had  been 
piled  on  the  fire,  and  the  blaze  threw  dancing  shadows  on 
the  stone  walls  and  lit  up  the  rough  faces  of  the  men.  They 
were  silent  for  a  while,  their  sharp  set  appetites  fully  occu- 
pying them,  but  a  draught  of  wine  set  the  tongues  wagging 
again. 

"  A  song,  Stefan :  I've  heard  you  roar  a  good  stave  ere 
this." 

"  Not  a  love  song,  surely  ?  "  said  Grigosie. 

"No,  of  wine." 

"  In  all  the  verse  I  ever  heard  love  and  wine  strangely 
go  together,"  said  the  boy. 

"  Proving  that  the  joys  of  both  are  transitory,  perhaps," 
said  Ellerey,  who  sat  beside  him.  He  spoke  only  to  Grig- 
osie, but  Stefan  heard  him. 

"Love,  Captain — a  snap  of  the  fingers  for  love;  but 
wine's  the  very  heart  of  life.  There's  wisdom  and  truth  in 
wine,  there's  valor  in  it,  and  it's  powerful  enough  to  make 
even  good  sound  men  fall  in  love.  There's  a  stave  I've 
heard  which  you  may  have  if  you  will."  And  with  much 
sound  but  little  music  Stefan  broke  into  song. 

It  was  a  tavern  ditty,  and  not  too  nice  in  its  sentiments, 
as,  indeed,  why  should  it  be,  to  please  its  hearers  ?  There 
was  a  lilt  in  its  chorus  which  even  Stefan's  unmusical  voice 
could  not  hide,  and  it  set  the  men's  heads  nodding  in  time 
as  they  roared  it  out  together,  waking  the  echoes  with  the 
declaration  that — 


THE  CASTLE  IN  THE  HILLS  171 

"The  eye  of  a  maid  may  sparkle, 
And  tke  fools  may  for  love  repine, 
But  the  wise  man  knows 
As  his  road  he  goes 
That  the  best  of  life's  gifts  is  wine." 

"  That  isn't  true,  is  it,  Captain  ?  "  whispered  Grigosie. 
"  We  know  better  than  that." 

Ellerey  laughed,  but  he  was  not  displeased  to  keep  the 
lad  in  low  conversation.  The  song  had  let  loose  a  flood  of 
jest  and  anecdote  which  lost  none  of  their  ribaldry  in  the 
telling.  They  were  ill  suited  for  a  boy  to  hear  and  batten 
on. 

"  Yes,  lad ;  we  know  better,  you  and  I,"  he  said.  "  Let 
them  talk,  we  need  not  listen." 

"  I  suppose  it  is  natural  in  youth  to  shudder  at  some 
things  they  talk  of,  and  much  I  do  not  understand." 

"Keeping  such  ignorance  you  will  be  the  happier. 
And  do  not  drink  much  wine  to-night,  Grigosie ;  you  must 
take  your  turn  at  sentry  duty.  It  is  share  and  share  alike 
in  an  enterprise  like  this." 

"Grant,  then,  there  be  stars  to-night.  I  never  feel 
lonely  under  the  stars,"  the  lad  answered.  "  It  was  good 
wine  that  was  poured  into  my  flask  at  starting;  I  have 
hardly  tasted  it  until  now.  Is  yours  good  ?  " 

"  It  might  be  worse,  and  I  was  never  a  heavy  drinker." 

"Taste  mine." 

"  No,  lad ;  why  should  I  rob  you  ?  " 

"  Indeed,  it  will  be  no  robbery.  If  you  do  not  take  it  I 
shall  offer  it  to  Stefan  presently.  It  is  too  strong  for  me." 

"  I'll  taste  it  before  I  sleep,  if  you  will.  The  air  is  close 
kere.  Let  us  go  and  fill  our  lungs  with  mountain  breezes." 

The  boy  sprang  to  his  feet  at  once,  careful  to  take  his 
wine  flask  with  him,  and  followed  Ellerey  on  to  the  plateau. 

There  were  stars  in  the  clear  sky,  and  a  crescent  moon 
that  seemed  to  be  poised  on  a  sharp  edge  of  the  higher 


172  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

mountains.  The  air  was  keen,  tingling  in  throat  and 
nostrils. 

"...  the  wise  man  knows 

As  liis  road  he  goes 
That  the  best  of  life's  gifts  is  wine," 

came  again  the  lilting  chorus  from  the  tower.  It  was  the 
only  sound  that  disturbed  the  silence — the  silence  of  a 
world. 

"A  night  for  regrets,  Captain,  yet  one  to  speed  ambi- 
tion," said  Grigosie. 

"  Yours  has  been  too  short  to  accumulate  regrets." 

"They  get  heaped  together  very  rapidly  sometimes," 
was  the  reply.  "  How  long  shall  we  stay  here  ?  " 

"Only  until  we  have  seen  Vasilici  and  delivered  our 
message." 

"And  then  back  to  Sturatzberg  with  our  demands 
backed  by  an  army  of  patriots,"  said  Grigosie.  "And 
for  the  success  of  the  scheme — how  do  you  reckon  the 
chances  ?  " 

"  If  I  expected  failure  I  should  not  be  here." 

"  Your  own  ambition  supplies  the  motive,  then  ? 
There  is  no  love  for  a  cause  behind  ?  " 

"Hush,  lad;  those  are  dangerous  questions  to  ask  a 
soldier.  If  I  know  that  reward  awaits  success,  it  is  as  cer- 
tain that  failure  means  death.  Those  who  employ  my 
sword  would  not  hesitate  to  sacrifice  me  to  save  the  situa- 
tion; so  you  see,  Grigosie,  you  set  out  on  a  venturesome 
enterprise  when  you  joined  my  company." 

"  Yes,  we  may  fail  and  die,  and  yet  other  nights  will  be 
just  as  full  of  stars  as  this  is.  I  wonder  how  it  is  that  such 
a  beautiful  world  is  cursed  to  go  so  awry." 

"  Chiefly,  my  lad,  because  most  of  us  care  nothing  about 
the  beauty,  but  think  only  of  using  it  as  a  plaything.  Let 
us  go  in  again.  You  should  sleep  before  you  go  ®n  duty." 


THE  CASTLE  IN  THE  HILLS  173 

Some  of  the  men  had  already  stretched  themselves  out 
in  sleep,  and  there  was  weariness  in  the  slow  speech  of  the 
others.  Only  Anton  seemed  really  awake,  and  he  did  not 
speak  as  the  two  entered  the  tower. 

"Here  is  the  wine,"  Grigosie  whispered,  handing  the 
flask  to  Ellerey.  "  Drink  to  success  in  it,  to  success  in  war 
— and  love." 


CHAPTER  XIV 

THE   TOKEX    IS    DELIVERED 

THE  logs  burnt  low  upon  the  hearth,  and  only  a  feeble  light 
was  in  the  tower.  Anton  saw  Ellerey  drink  the  wine  and 
then  cast  himself  down  not  far  from  Grigosie;  but  it  was 
too  dim  for  him  to  see  whether  all  his  companions  were 
asleep.  Some  certainly  were,  for  they  snored,  and  others 
were  restless,  for  they  shifted  their  positions  at  intervals 
and  sighed  heavily.  Where  Ellerey  and  Grigosie  were 
there  was  deep  shadow,  growing  deeper  as  the  fire  died 
down.  One  sleeper  there  was  restless  for  a  little  while, 
and  then  his  breathing  proclaimed  that  his  sleep  was  heavy. 
Once  Anton  thought  there  was  a  darker  shadow  within  the 
shadow,  which  moved  quite  silently,  but  he  did  not  speak; 
he  only  listened  very  eagerly  and  raised  himself  on  his  elbow 
a  little.  Presently  Anton  slept  too. 

Ellerey  awoke  with  a  start.  Some  shock  in  a  dream 
seemed  to  wake  him,  and  as  he  raised  himself  his  hand  went 
to  his  breast,  as  it  constantly  did  on  waking.  The  token 
lay  there  safely.  Then  he  leaned  over  toward  Grigosie 
and  stretched  out  his  arm.  The  lad's  place  was  empty. 
He  was  startled  for  a  moment,  as  men  may  be  on  awaking 
suddenly  from  a  dream,  but  he  quickly  recovered  himself, 
remembering  that  the  lad  was  sentry  part  of  the  night. 

He  lay  down  again,  being  heavy-eyed,  but  could  not 
sleep.  The  air  was  oppressive,  and  a  dull  pain  was  in  his 
head  as  though  a  steel  band  were  clasped  tightly  round 
his  forehead.  The  dream  was  still  surging  unpleasantly 


THE  TOKEN  IS  DELIVERED  175 

through  his  brain,  and  at  last  his  restlessness  prompted  him 
to  go  out  on  to  the  plateau. 

The  stars  were  still  bright,  but  the  crescent  moon  had 
gone.  At  the  edge  of  the  plateau,  resting  upon  his  gun, 
stood  the  motionless  figure  of  the  sentry.  Ellerey  did  not 
wish  to  startle  him,  so  coughed  slightly  to  let  him  know  of 
his  presence. 

The  boy  did  not  turn. 

"  Grigosie." 

"  Is  that  you,  Captain  ?  I  was  just  coming  to  call  you. 
Watch  the  mountain  opposite,  and  tell  me  if  my  eyes  are 
deceiving  me.  There  is  nothing  for  the  moment,  but  wait, 
and  look  steadily." 

The  top  of  the  opposite  side  of  the  pass  stood  out  clearly 
against  the  sky,  but  below  was  darkness.  Grigosie  pointed 
to  that  part  which  lay  rather  below  the  level  of  the  plateau 
on  which  they  were  standing. 

"  They  must  be  good  eyes  to  see  anything  there,"  said 
Ellerey. 

"  Wait,"  whispered  the  boy. 

Even  as  he  spoke  there  shone  for  a  moment  a  wisp  of 
light  like  a  firefly  in  the  darkness,  and  then  another,  mov- 
ing a  little  below  it.  Several  times  this  was  repeated  in 
different  places  in  the  darkness,  the  point  of  light  gleaming 
for  a  moment  only  and  then  suddenly  going  out. 

"  They  have  followed  us,  Captain,  and  by  morning  will 
have  climbed  high  enough  to  command  this  position." 

"  When  did  you  first  see  the  lights,  Grigosie  ?  " 

"  Not  ten  minutes  ago." 

"  Get  to  the  gate  at  the  top  of  the  zig-zag  pass — quickly ! 
I  will  call  the  others." 

The  boy  ran  to  his  post  at  once,  and  in  a  few  moments 
the  whole  of  the  little  company  was  upon  the  plateau  watch- 
ing the  points  of  light  which  came  and  went  on  the  moun- 


176  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

tain  opposite.  There  was  no  more  sleep  that  night,  only  a 
waiting  for  dawn ;  and  as  daylight  crept  slowly  down  them, 
the  mountains  looked  innocent  enough.  The  sunlight 
bursting  suddenly  over  the  eastern  ridges  glinted  upon  no 
points  of  steel  betraying  hidden  men  in  the  hollows  of  the 
hills.  Ellerey  and  Stefan  stood  together  looking  for  such 
a  sign,  or  the  thin  curl  of  smoke  from  a  camp-fire. 

"There's  no  army  from  Sturatzberg  yonder,  Captain," 
said  the  soldier.  "Whoever  climbed  there  last  night 
showed  lights  only  to  guide  their  fellows,  either  not  expect- 
ing us  to  see  them,  or  not  knowing  that  we  are  here." 

"  The  brigands,  perhaps,"  said  Ellerey. 

"  The  same  thought  was  in  my  mind,"  Stefan  answered. 

Sharp  eyes  watched  from  the  plateau  during  the  early 
hours  of  the  morning.  Weapons  were  looked  to,  and  the 
horses  saddled  ready  for  any  emergency;  but  no  attempt 
was  made  to  conceal  their  presence  there.  Sharp  eyes 
doubtless  had  also  watched  their  movements  from  the 
mountains  opposite,  for  three  men  presently  appeared  in 
the  pass  below.  By  what  path  they  came  there  the  watchers 
on  the  plateau  could  not  tell.  No  sign  of  them  had  they 
perceived  until  they  suddenly  stood  in  full  view. 

"  To  travel  in  such  fashion  those  must  be  born  moun- 
taineers," said  Stefan.  "  Shall  I  signal  to  them,  Captain  ?  " 

"  Yes.  Let  them  come  up  the  path ;  we  will  meet  them 
at  the  top.  Grigosie,  you  stand  on  the  rising  ground  there, 
and  if  there  be  any  sign  of  treachery  see  you  repeat  the 
marksmanship  you  boast  of." 

The  three  men  came  up  the  zig-zag  path  fearlessly. 
They  did  not  pause  when  they  saw  the  soldiers  waiting  for 
them  at  the  ruined  gateway,  but  came  on  until  they  halted 
some  five  paces  in  front  of  them. 

"We  are  sent  to  know  your  mission  in  the  hills,"  said 
one,  stepping  slightly  in  advance  of  his  companions. 


THE  TOKEN  IS  DELIVERED  177 

"  From  whom  do  you  come  ?  "  inquired  Ellerey. 

"  From  a  friend,  if  we  make  no  mistake,  one  whom  you 
are  sent  to  seek  near  the  Drekner  pass.  Are  you  from. 
Queen  Elena?" 

"  I  am  the  bearer  of  a  message  to  Vasilici." 

"  You  are  welcome,  then.     We  will  bring  you  to  him." 

"  Is  he  far  from  here  ?  " 

The  man  turned  and  pointed  up  the  pass :  "  An  hour's 
journey." 

"  We  will  come.  The  message  I  carry  will  need  prompt 
action,  for  across  the  plain  there  are  troops  watching  the 
road  to  Sturatzberg." 

"There  are  more  ways  than  one  to  the  capital,  and 
many  men  in  those  troops  perchance  who  will  welcome 
the  sight  of  us." 

"  I  do  not  doubt  it,"  Ellerey  answered.  "  Is  the  way 
passable  for  horses  ?  We  shall  not  want  to  return  here." 

"Yes,  to  the  entrance  of  the  chief's  resting-place. 
How  many  are  you  ?  " 

"Ten  in  all." 

"Your  numbers  guarantee  a  friendly  message,"  was 
the  smiling  answer.  "We  will  await  you  at  the  foot  of 
the  path." 

As  the  men  departed  Grigosie  lowered  the  rifle  which 
he  had  held  ready  for  use,  his  finger  resting  lightly  on  the 
trigger;  but  he  did  not  move  from  his  post  until  Ellerey 
called  him. 

"  Ready,  lad;  we  march  at  once." 

"  You  are  satisfied  with  the  embassy  ?  " 

"  Quite.  In  an  hour's  time  the  first  stage  of  our  mis- 
sion will  be  accomplished." 

"And  then?" 

"  The  result  lies  on  the  knees  of  the  gods,"  said  Ellerey. 

"  Do  we  all  go  ? "  asked  the  boy. 
12 


178  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"Yes." 

"  And  leave  none  to  keep  this  refuge  ?  " 

''What  should  we  want  with  a  refuge?  We  have 
come  too  far  for  that.  If  success  does  not  lie  in  the  road 
before  us,  the  only  refuge  we  can  hope  for  is  in  death." 

"I  have  a  strange  liking  for  life,  Captain,  just 
now." 

The  men  led  their  horses  down  the  zig-zag  path, 
Ellerey  and  Stefan  bringing  up  the  rear.  Grigosie 
turned  to  look  back  at  the  ruined  walls,  and  the  tower 
standing  gaunt  against  the  mountain-side.  He  had  enthu- 
siastically called  it  his,  and  in  the  desertion  of  it  there 
may  have  been  some  regret.  From  the  castle  the  lad's 
eyes  followed  the  shape  and  direction  of  the  ridges  which 
lay  about  it,  as  though  to  impress  the  picture  on  his  mind, 
but  he  spoke  no  word,  and  studiously  avoided  Anton's 
eyes,  which  questioned  him.  He  was  in  no  mood  to  reduce 
the  thoughts  which  surged  through  his  brain  to  any  order. 
They  raged  and  beat  against  the  unknown  shores  of  the 
future  as  a  wind-swept  ocean  will  against  a  rocky  coast, 
carrying  with  them  his  hopes  and  ambitions,  which  were 
driven  to  and  fro  like  brave  craft  struggling  against  ship- 
wreck. There  was  some  reason  why  he  should  regret  the 
comparatively  quiet  haven  of  that  castle  in  the  hills. 

In  silence  he  mounted  with  the  others  at  the  foot  of  the 
path,  and  the  little  band  of  horsemen  proceeded  at  walk- 
ing pace,  so  that  the  envoys  from  Vasilici,  who  were  on  foot, 
might  keep  up  with  them.  Ellerey  and  Stefan  rode  side 
by  side,  and  at  a  sign  from  the  former  fell  a  few  paces  far- 
ther in  the  rear. 

"  It  is  evident  that  we  shall  presently  have  to  leave  the 
horses,  Stefan ;  you  and  Anton  shall  stay  with  them  while 
the  rest  of  us  go  forward  to  deliver  the  token.  While  you 
wait  keep  a  keen  lookout  on  the  hillsides  and  on " 


THE  TOKEN  IS  DELIVERED  179 

"  On  Anton,"  Stefan  suggested.  "  I  need  no  bidding, 
Captain.  I  do  not  trust  him.  I  should  trust  him  still  less 
had  I  not  taken  a  liking  to  his  companion,  Grigosie." 

"  The  boy  is  stanch,  I  think,  but  it  is  perhaps  as  well 
to  have  them  separated,"  said  Ellerey;  "that  is  why  I 
leave  Anton  to  you." 

"  He'll  be  in  strict  company,  Captain,  have  no  fear." 

"  I  see  no  reason  to  doubt  success,"  said  Ellerey,  after 
a  pause,  almost  as  if  he  had  misgivings  and  wanted  to  be 
laughed  out  of  them. 

"There  are  many  who  have  looked  upon  success,  and 
yet  have  not  had  arm  long  enough  to  grasp  it,"  said  Stefan. 
"  It's  as  well  not  to  smack  the  lips  until  the  liquor  is  run- 
ning in  the  throat." 

Their  way  lay  up  the  pass  toward  the  narrow  defile 
which  nature  had  closed  long  ago.  There  was  an  upward 
incline,  but  it  was  quite  easy  for  the  horses.  The  pass 
gradually  narrowed  as  they  went,  and  the  mountain-sides 
grew  more  precipitous,  shutting  them  in  like  great  walls 
on  either  side.  Little  foothold  was  there  for  a  lurking 
enemy,  and  there  were  no  deep  gorges  where  an  ambus- 
cade might  hide.  To  defend  this  part  of  the  pass  in  the 
old  days  must  have  meant  a  hand-to-hand  struggle  in 
the  narrow  way.  Ellerey  noted  this  as  he  went.  His  life 
in  Sturatzberg  had  made  him  observant. 

Presently  the  leading  horseman  stopped. 

"It  is  difficult  work  for  horses  from  here,"  said  one  of 
the  brigands.  "  They  can  be  fetched  afterward  to  the  place 
the  chief  directs." 

"You,  Stefan  and  Anton,  will  stay  with  them,"  said 
Ellerey.  "  I  will  send  Grigosie  back  with  orders  presently. 
Take  orders  from  none  but  Grigosie." 

Stefan  saluted  and  gathered  the  bridles  together,  smil- 
ing to  see  that  Anton  was  not  pleased  at  being  left  behind. 


180  PRINCESS   MARITZA 

He  looked  at  his  youthful  comrade,  who  took  no  notice  of 
him,  and  obeyed  with  an  ill  grace. 

"  Why  should  he  leave  us  ?  "  he  asked,  when  the  others 
had  gone,  climbing  the  slope  in  front  of  them. 

"  Why  not  ?  "  asked  Stefan  laconically. 

"It  is  the  business  of  servants  and  lackeys  to  mind 
horses.'* 

"But  we  have  neither." 

"At  least  we  are  given  no  honorable  service." 

"For  my  part,  I  do  as  I  am  told,"  sard  Stefan,  "and 
you'll  be  wise  to  do  the  same.  That  young  comrade  of 
yours  is  capable  of  looking  after  himself." 

Anton  looked  at  the  soldier  curiously  for  a  moment, 
but  Stefan's  thoughts  were  always  difficult  to  read.  His 
face  never  showed  a  sign  of  any  meaning  beyond  the  words 
he  uttered. 

Following  the  three  brigands,  the  others  climbed  up 
the  slope  of  the  landslip  which  had  filled  up  the  pass.  It 
was  uneven  ground,  and  they  were  soon  hidden  from 
their  companions  with  the  horses.  Descending  presently 
into  a  ravine,  the  brigands  stopped. 

"  As  a  careful  Captain,  you  will  appreciate  the  caution 
of  our  chief,"  said  the  spokesman,  turning  to  Ellerey. 
"  We  were  ordered  to  bring  you  no  farther  than  this.  He 
will  come  to  you  here." 

"  We  are  only  eight ;  let  him  come  with  no  larger  fol- 
lowing," Ellerey  answered.  "There  shall  be  precaution 
on  both  sides." 

"  I  will  give  your  message,  but " 

"  Unless  he  fulfils  my  terms  I  depart  the  way  I  have  come, 
and  make  my  terms  in  the  shadow  of  the  castle  yonder." 

"I  will  tell  him  so,"  said  the  man,  and  the  brigands 
went  quickly  up  the  ravine  and  disappeared. 

"  This  is  their  vantage  ground,"  said  Ellerey.     "  Stand 


THE  TOKEN  IS  DELIVERED  181 

apart,  all  of  you,  near  enough  to  help  each  other,  but  not 
in  each  other's  way  should  a  rush  come.  Grigosie,  stand 
there,  carelessly  as  it  were,  but  with  ready  fingers.  We 
have  no  knowledge  of  the  honor  of  these  men." 

They  had  not  long  to  wait.  From  the  bend  in  the 
ravine  came  three  men,  the  central  figure  a  man  of  great 
stature.  He  walked  proudly,  with  long,  swaggering 
strides  and  swinging  arms.  His  long  black  hair,  bearded 
chin,  and  beady  eyes  set  under  heavy  eyebrows,  gave  a 
ferocity  to  his  appearance  which  Ellerey  did  not  find 
attractive.  He  looked  like  a  man  in  whom  the  barbarian 
was  still  active,  whose  laws  of  right  and  wrong  and  honor 
were  likely  to  be  of  his  own  fashioning — one  in  whom  it 
would  be  dangerous  to  trust  too  implicitly.  Yet  he  was 
a  striking  and  a  handsome  figure,  and  his  dress  gave  him 
distinction.  A  scarlet  feather  was  in  his  hat,  and  he  wore 
a  scarlet  cloak  which  the  weather  had  stained.  A  heavy 
knife  was  stuck  in  his  belt,  and  it  was  obvious  that  his  com- 
panions treated  him  with  marked  respect. 

"  Is  this  bravado,  or  does  he  know  that  a  hundred  pairs 
of  eyes  are  watching  us  ?"  said  Ellerey. 

Grigosie  did  not  take  his  eyes  from  the  three  men. 
He  stood  in  a  careless  attitude,  one  hand  resting  on  his 
hip,  the  other  thrust  into  his  breast,  and  his  fingers  were 
upon  a  revolver.  No  gesture  of  the  men  escaped  him, 
and  long  before  they  came  to  a  standstill  in  front  of  Ellerey 
he  had  learned  their  features  thoroughly. 

The  big  man  gave  a  short  salute  rather  as  acknowledg- 
ing an  inferior  than  answering  an  equal. 

"You  have  a  message  for  me,  Captain." 

"  I  can  answer  that  question  when  I  know  who  you  are," 
said  Ellerey. 

The  big  man  laughed,  with  a  glance  at  his  companions, 
who  laughed  too,  pleased  to  humor  him. 


182  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"You  are  a  stranger  in  these  hills,  or  you  would  know 
me.  I  am  Vasilici." 

He  did  not  call  himself  great,  but  his  manner  easily 
filled  the  omission.  He  glanced  at  Ellercy,  and  at  the 
soldiers,  to  see  the  effect  of  his  words. 

"  Then  I  have  a  message  for  you  from  Queen  Elena." 

"It  has  been  so  long  in  coming  that  I  have  almost 
grown  tired  of  waiting,"  Vasilici  answered.  "  I  presume 
she  would  have  done  without  my  help  if  she  could." 

"I  am  only  the  bearer  of  one  message,"  Ellerey  said 
shortly.  The  fellow's  insolent  manner  came  near  to  rais- 
ing Ellerey 's  temper.  This  was  a  dangerous  ally  the 
Queen  had  chosen.  "Do  you  know  the  nature  of  the 
message  I  bring?" 

"Aye,  as  I  know  the  price  to  be  paid  for  my  help. 
The  Queen  has  not  dared  to  question  my  terms,  has  she  ?" 

"  I  know  nothing  of  the  price.  I  might  find  it  too  high 
if  I  did." 

"  Nor  were  you  sent  to  argue,  Captain,  but  to  deliver 
the  token,"  said  Vasilici,  holding  out  his  hand. 

Ellerey  swallowed  his  rages  a  best  he  could,  with  a 
determination  to  take  the  pride  out  of  this  boaster  some 
day ;  and  drawing  out  the  sealed  box  containing  the  brace- 
let of  medallions,  handed  it  to  the  brigand. 

"At  last  the  great  day  dawns  for  me  and  for  Wallaria ! " 
Vasilici  exclaimed.  "The  kindgom  of  the  hills  comes  to 
power  and  honor." 

"  Did  they  tell  you  that  an  army  lies  in  wait  between 
here  and  Sturatzberg  ? "  asked  Ellerey. 

"  Fifty  armies  will  not  stop  me  and  those  I  lead  when 
I  elect  to  strike,"  cried  the  brigand,  snapping  his  fingers. 
"The  puppets  in  Sturatzberg  will  either  bow  to  me  or 
squeal  at  their  punishment  when  I  enter  the  city." 

"You'll  find  the  gates  shut  and  some  good  men  to 


THE  TOKEN  IS  DELIVERED  183 

guard  them,"  Ellerey  answered.  "I  am  in  a  position  to 
know  that." 

"  We  may  use  you,  Captain,  and  for  good  service  there 
is  something  more  than  thanks." 

Ellerey  laughed  loudly;  it  was  the  only  way  he  could 
prevent  himself  from  cursing  this  insolent  scoundrel.  He 
almost  despised  himself  for  being  even  in  the  same  cause 
with  this  swaggerer.  For  a  moment  Grigosie  glanced 
at  him,  understanding  something  of  what  was  in  his  mind, 
but  the  next  instant  he  had  turned  again  to  watch  Vasilici. 
The  man  was  a  swaggerer  through  and  through,  although 
if  the  tales  told  of  him  were  true  he  did  not  lack  courage. 
He  had  for  a  long  time  impressed  his  followers  with  his 
bluster  and  attitudes,  playing  a  carefully  studied  part 
before  them,  appealing  to  that  vein  of  romance  which 
life  in  the  mountains  had  fostered  in  them ;  and  he  played 
the  part  now  for  the  benefit  of  Ellerey  and  his  comrades. 
Falling  into  a  pose,  he  turned  the  box  this  way  and  that, 
as  though  the  opening  of  it  were  a  supreme  thing  which 
a  little  delay  would  materially  add  to.  Then  with  a  flour- 
ish he  drew  the  knife  from  his  belt  and  broke  the  seals, 
pausing  again  to  carefully  replace  the  knife. 

"  Freedom  to  this  wretched  land  at  last,"  he  said, "  and 
so  I  open  the  Queen's  token." 

The  box  fell  to  the  ground  with  the  packing  it  had 
contained,  and  then  with  an  oath  Vasilici  drew  himself 
to  his  full  height,  one  hand  upon  the  haft  of  his  knife  in 
a  moment. 

"Is  this  how  her  Majesty  attempts  to  fool  me!"  he  cried. 

Ellerey  took  a  step  forward  to  look,  and  an  oath  burst 
from  his  lips,  too.  It  was  not  the  iron  bracelet  of  medal- 
lions which  Vasilici  held  up,  but  a  cross  of  gold,  curious 
in  shape  and  workmanship,  upon  which  the  sun  glinted 
as  it  swung  by  its  little  chain  in  the  brigand's  hand. 


CHAPTER  XV 

THE   RACE   FOB   LIFE 

THE  action  a  man  will  take  in  a  crisis  is  exceedingly 
difficult  to  gauge  beforehand.  As  a  rule,  such  moments 
happen  from  a  chain  of  circumstances  which  the  man 
has  not  foreseen,  and  therefore  has  made  no  preparation 
to  meet,  and  his  conduct  is  likely  to  be  guided  entirely 
by  the  attitude  of  those  about  him,  without  any  question 
of  right  or  wrong,  without  a  thought  of  what  has  occurred 
in  the  past  or  what  may  happen  in  the  future.  This  was 
Ellerey's  position.  He  had  expected  to  see  the  bracelet 
of  medallions ;  instead  he  saw  a  golden  cross.  He  knew 
that  in  some  manner  he  had  been  deceived,  and  who 
but  the  Queen  could  have  placed  this  unexpected  token 
in  his  keeping  ?  By  his  manner  he  knew  that  the  golden 
cross  held  some  meaning  for  the  brigand,  a  meaning  of 
which  Ellerey  was  absolutely  ignorant;  and  under  other 
conditions  he  might  have  admitted  his  ignorance  and  entered 
into  explanations.  As  it  was,  the  whole  bearing  of  Vasilici, 
his  bluster  and  his  swagger,  had  roused  Ellerey's  anger. 
He  had  felt  that  the  man  was  a  crafty  enemy  even  at  the 
moment  of  delivering  what  he  supposed  to  be  a  friendly 
message,  and  the  keen  desire  to  show  his  contempt  for 
him  had  made  his  tongue  smart  with  unspoken  words, 
and  his  hands  tingle  to  be  clenched  and  to  strike.  He  had 
forced  himself  to  decent  speech  and  attitude,  but  now  his 
anger  asserted  itself.  No  question  of  duty  or  expediency 
seemed  to  bind  him;  only  a  boastful  enemy  was  before 


THE  RACE  FOR  LIFE  185 

him  to  be  answered  in  the  same  fashion  as  he  questioned, 
and  if  that  did  not  suffice,  to  be  punished  as  he  merited. 

"  That  is  the  token  as  I  received  it,"  said  Ellerey. 

As  the  brigand  had  held  up  the  token  Grigosie  had 
leant  forward  to  see  it,  the  color  mounting  into  his  cheeks. 
Now  his  enthusiasm  appeared  to  get  the  better  of  his 
prudence,  and  he  cried  out: 

"  Long  live  our  country !  Down  with  all  who  dishonor 
her!  The  golden  cross  gleams  in  the  light  of  God's  good 
sun ;  it  is  a  benediction  on  this  day,  a  promise  of  brighter 
days  to  follow.  Summon  your  legions,  Vasilici,  and  on  to 
Sturatzberg  where  the  hornets  are  nesting  ready  for  de- 
struction." 

The  brigand  glanced  at  the  boy  contemptuously. 

"What  bantam  is  this  you  have  brought  to  crow  for 
you?" 

"  The  boy  speaks  well  enough,"  said  Ellerey.  "  There 
is  the  token,  where  is  your  answer  ?  " 

"  Here,  and  here,"  was  the  quick  answer,  as  he  hurled 
the  cross  high  into  the  air  behind  him,  and  at  the  same 
time  blew  a  shrill  whistle.  "That  is  Vasilici's  answer 
to  liars,  and  this  his  swift  punishment." 

The  man's  movements  were  so  lithe  and  quick,  so 
utterly  unexpected,  that  he  had  sprung  upon  Ellerey  before 
the  words  had  fully  left  his  lips.  The  long  blade  of  his 
knife  caught  the  sunlight,  even  as  the  golden  cross  had 
caught  it  a  moment  ago,  and  Ellerey's  upraised  arm  alone 
protected  his  breast  from  the  downward  thrust.  But  the 
swift  stroke  did  not  come.  A  revolver  shot  awoke  the 
echoes  of  the  hills,  and  with  a  howl  the  great  brigand  leapt 
backward,  his  knife  falling  harmlessly  to  the  ground,  and 
his  arm  useless  to  his  side. 

"The  bantam's  answer,"  cried  Grigosie.  "To  me, 
Captain ! " 


186  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

It  was  at  once  evident  that  Vasilici  had  not  ventured 
to  the  interview  without  support.  The  hills  in  front  of 
them  were  immediately  alive  with  men  scrambling  down- 
ward to  the  very  ground  the  little  band  occupied.  Men 
were  in  the  ravine  behind  them  rushing  up  to  cut  off  retreat 
that  way.  Cries  and  shouting  were!  on  every  side,  some 
calling  for  surrender,  others  shouting  that  the  soldiers 
had  been  deceived  by  their  Captain.  In  the  sudden  con- 
fusion Ellerey  gave  quick  commands,  as,  with  sword  in 
hand,  he  sprang  to  the  rising  ground  where  Grigosie  stood ; 
but  his  orders  were  either  not  heard  or  came  too  late  for 
obedience.  Before  the  soldiers  could  come  to  him,  the 
brigands  were  between  them. 

"It  is  madness  to  stay,"  whispered  Grigosie.  "The 
hill  behind  us  is  clear." 

The  boy  fired  twice  in  quick  succession  at  men  who 
had  raised  their  rifles  ready  to  fire  at  them,  and  although 
in  answer  a  dozen  bullets  sang  past  them,  the  aim  was 
faulty  in  the  excitement. 

" Shoot  them  both!"  was  the  shout. 

"Shoot  them!  "  thundered  Vasilici. 

"Come,"  whispered  Grigosie. 

They  scrambled  upward  together,  the  unevenness 
of  the  hillside  protecting  them  for  a  moment  from  the  flying 
bullets. 

"I  marked  our  direction,"  said  Grigosie.  "We  can 
keep  to  this  kind  path  for  a  little  way,  and  with  luck  cross 
the  open  presently  toward  the  horses." 

They  ran  on,  crouching  lest  their  heads  should  be 
seen  and  mark  the  direction  they  had  taken.  Grigosie 
refilled  the  empty  chambers  of  his  revolver  as  he  went, 
and  Ellerey  put  up  his  sword  and  took  his  revolver  instead. 
Behind  them  the  firing  had  ceased,  but  they  could  not 
doubt  that  they  were  being  swiftly  followed;  and  spread 


THE  RACE  FOR  LIFE  187 

over  the  open  which  they  must  needs  cross,  a  hundred 
men  probably  barred  their  way. 

"  Unless  they  were  already  there  when  we  passed,  they 
will  hardly  have  time  to  intercept  us,"  was  Grigosie's 
answer  to  this  fear. 

"  Probably  they  were  there,  lad,"  said  Ellerey.  "  We've 
about  an  equal  chance  with  the  hare  that  is  being  coursed." 

"  He  gets  away  sometimes,"  was  the  answer. 

They  ran  swiftly,  mounting  higher  and  higher  as 
they  went.  Once  they  caught  sight  of  men  running  in 
the  path  below  them,  and  presently  of  others  climbing 
the  hillside  to  reach  the  summit  before  them,  but  no  shout 
told  them  that  they  themselves  had  been  seen. 

"  Don't  fire,  Grigosie,  unless  it  is  absolutely  necessary," 
said  Ellerey.  "It  would  betray  our  whereabouts,  and 
we  shall  want  all  our  cartridges  to  stop  them  across  the 
open." 

The  boy  nodded  and  ran  on. 

"  The  top  at  last ! "  he  exclaimed.  "  That  height  yonder 
is  our  mark.  If  we  can  reach  it  we  shall  be  in  sight  of  the 
horses.  How  far  behind  have  we  left  them  ?  " 

He  stood  for  a  moment  to  look  back  along  the  ridge 
under  which  they  had  come.  Some  distance  away  men 
were  coming  into  view. 

"  Quick,  Grigosie;  it's  speed  now,"  said  Ellerey. 

The  way  before  them  was  clear,  and  they  ran  side  by 
side,  careful  of  their  steps  lest  a  hole  might  mean  a  fall 
and  a  sprained  ankle.  Presently  a  bullet  passed  between 
them,  and  they  began  to  run  in  zig-zag  fashion  to  puzzle 
the  marksmanship.  Ellerey  constantly  turned  to  look 
back.  There  were  many  pursuers,  some  widely  straggling, 
but  a  few  of  them  were  gaining  rapidly.  These  did  not 
pause  to  fire;  they  ran,  judging  their  pace  and  distance 
to  a  nicety.  Long  before  the  point  for  which  the  fugi- 


188  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

lives  were  making  could  be  reached  these  men  would  be 
upon  them. 

"  We  must  stop  them,  Grigosie." 

The  lad  looked  back.  He  was  beginning  to  pant 
heavily. 

"Not  yet,"  he  said;  "they  are  not  close  enough." 

So  they  ran  on.  It  was  evident  to  Ellerey  that  the 
boy's  pace  was  palpably  slackening,  and  there  was  yet 
some  distance  to  cover  to  the  height,  to  say  nothing  of 
the  final  dash  for  the  horses.  The  men  behind  were 
rapidly  overtaking  them.  Ellerey  could  hear  the  dull, 
rhythmic  pad  of  the  running  feet. 

"Twelve  paces,  Grigosie,"  he  murmured,  ''then  turn 
sharply.  Do  not  kill,  lame  them;  their  companions  may 
stop  to  help  them." 

Ellerey  counted  the  twelve  paces  aloud,  and  then 
they  both  turned.  Four  shots  rang  out  sharply,  and 
three  of  the  foremost  runners  stumbled  and  fell.  An 
answering  bullet  cut  through  Ellerey's  coat  sleeve,  and 
there  was  the  pain  as  of  a  hot  skewer  laid  for  a  moment 
on  his  flesh  as  he  and  Grigosie  ran  on  again. 

"Every  step  lessens  the  distance,  lad,"  he  said  encour- 
agingly. "That  will  teach  them  to  keep  a  little  farther 
in  the  rear." 

Still  Ellerey  turned  constantly  to  watch  their  pursuers. 
One  or  two  had  stopped  by  their  wounded  companions, 
but  the  rest  held  on  their  way,  undeterred  by  the  fate 
of  their  comrades.  Twice  again  did  Ellerey  count  twelve 
paces,  and  he  and  Grigosie  turned  together  and  fired.  The 
foremost  runner  on  the  last  occasion  was  Grigosie's  mark, 
and  he  missed  him.  The  man  had  bounded  forward  to 
make  his  capture  when  Ellerey's  revolver  sounded  again. 
It  was  not  the  moment  to  hazard  a  shot,  to  aim  at  the  swiftly 
moving  limbs.  The  man  leapt  into  the  air  and  fell  sprawl- 


THE  RACE  FOR  LIFE  189 

ing  on  his  face,  and  with  one  spasmodic  kick  lay  still. 
Grigosie  turned  and  ran  on  again  without  a  word.  They 
were  close  to  the  height  now.  It  was  to  their  left,  and  the 
boy  pointed  to  a  depression  which  lay  between  it  and 
another  elevation.  The  way  was  narrow,  which  was  in 
their  favor,  and  if  only  the  brigands  were  not  in  force  on 
the  other  side,  and  Grigosie  had  made  no  mistake  in  the 
direction,  there  was  a  chance  of  escape. 

Ellerey  let  Grigosie  enter  the  narrow  way  first,  and  then 
paused  in  the  entrance.  Only  two  men  followed  them,  and 
seeing  Ellerey  stop,  they  fired.  Ellerey  fired  twice  in  an- 
swer, and  without  waiting  to  see  if  the  shots  had  taken  effect 
dashed  after  Grigosie. 

The  boy  had  made  no  mistake.  They  had  come  out 
half-way  down  the  rising  ground  which  they  had  climbed 
directly  after  dismounting.  Below  them  stood  Stefan  and 
Anton  with  the  horses,  and  higher  up  the  slope  above  them 
more  of  the  brigands  were  hastily  descending.  Some  of 
the  men  had  gone  this  way  to  cut  off  their  retreat,  and  the 
fugitives  had  not  a  moment  to  waste  in  their  final  dash  for 
freedom. 

Ellerey  fired  into  the  air  to  put  Stefan  on  the  alert,  and 
seizing  Grigosie's  arm — for  the  boy  was  nearly  beaten — he 
dashed  down  the  steep  incline.  Stefan  saw  them  and  spoke 
quickly  to  Anton,  who  for  a  moment  seemed  inclined  to  lose 
his  head.  The  soldier's  sharp  command  steadied  him,  and 
the  moment  Grigosie  was  beside  him  he  lifted  him  bodily 
into  the  saddle  and  then  sprang  to  his  own. 

"  No  others  ?  "  Stefan  shouted,  wheeling  Ellerey 's  horse 
round  toward  him. 

"No." 

Without  a  word  Stefan  cast  loose  the  reins  of  the  otner 
horses,  and  the  next  instant  the  four  riders  were  galloping 
for  dear  life  up  th«  pass,  Ellerey  and  Grigosie  in  the  centre, 


190  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

Anton  and  Stefan  on  either  side.  Knee  to  knee  they  gal- 
loped, their  bodies  low  upon  their  horses'  necks.  Several 
shots  followed  them,  but  went  wide  of  the  mark,  and  a  bend 
in  the  pass  soon  covered  them.  Still  they  held  on  their  way, 
speaking  no  word.  There  was  only  the  sound  of  the  rap- 
idly beating  hoofs  and  the  rough  purring  of  the  leather  as 
the  legs  rubbed  the  saddles. 

Ellerey  thought  that  along  the  pass  any  surprise  or  am- 
bush was  impossible.  He  had  taken  careful  notice  of  the 
mountain  walls  which  shut  them  in,  but  he  was  not  so  satis- 
fied that  they  would  find  the  castle  open  to  them.  Those 
who  occupied  it,  if  any  were  there,  could  hardly  have  heard 
of  the  failure  of  the  meeting  yet,  and  he  therefore  hoped  that 
he  might  gain  possession  of  it  by  stratagem.  To  ride  out 
of  the  pass  would  be  madness,  with  the  armies  fromSturatz- 
berg  guarding  the  plain.  The  castle  was  their  only  hope — 
their  place  of  refuge,  as  Grigosie  had  prophetically  called  it. 

Ellerey  drew  rein  presently. 

"  We  have  distanced  them,"  he  said.  "  What  do  you 
think,  Stefan — will  the  castle  be  empty  ?  " 

The  soldier  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"If  any  brigands  still  occupy  the  hills  about  it,  they 
cannot  know  that  our  mission  has  failed." 

"These  fellows  manage  to  signal  very  quickly  to  one 
another,"  Stefan  answered. 

"  Then  we  must  fight  for  its  possession.  It  is  our  only 
chance." 

"  Our  chance  is  a  poor  one  if  it  comes  to  fighting,"  said 
Stefan. 

"  We  will  try  strategy  first,"  Ellerey  said.  '*  Let  us  ride 
easily." 

"  What  happened  ?  "  queried  Stefan. 

"  The  box  did  not  contain  the  right  token,  and  they 
attacked  us  without  a  word  of  warning." 


THE  RACE  FOR  LIFE  191 

"What  of  the  others?" 

"  Heaven  knows.  They  hardly  seemed  to  strike  a  blow 
after  we  were  surrounded.  It  was  Grigosie  who  thought  of 
the  way  across  the  hills,  and  we've  had  to  run  for  it  like 
hunted  rabbits,  eh,  lad  ?  " 

Grigosie  smiled  faintly,  but  did  not  speak.  He  was  still 
panting  after  his  tremendous  exertion.  Anton  had  stretched 
out  a  hand  to  support  him  in  his  saddle  as  they  galloped. 

"  They  are  dead  then,  those  others  ?  "  said  Stefan. 

"I  fear  so." 

"  And  we've  been  deceived,  sent  into  a  trap  like  a  lot  of 
rats.  There's  a  reckoning  to  be  paid." 

"  Time  enough  to  think  of  that,  Stefan.  Let  us  secure 
the  castle  first,"  said  Ellerey. 

"  I'm  fearing  the  reckoning  must  be  left  for  others  to 
pay,"  growled  the  soldier.  "It's  putting  our  trust  in  a 
woman  that's  been  the  curse  of  us." 

No  one  contradicted  him,  and  they  rode  on  in  silence 
until  the  castle  came  in  view.  It  looked  gaunt  enough,  as 
silent  and  deserted  as  when  they  had  first  seen  it.  There 
was  no  movement  on  the  plateau,  no  sign  that  any  living 
creature  except  themselves  was  near  it. 

"  Look ! "  exclaimed  Stefan  suddenly. 

He  pointed  to  the  hillside  on  which  the  lights  had  shone 
mysteriously  last  night.  Here  and  there  were  moving  fig- 
ures descending  the  slopes.  Whether  they  had  caught 
sight  of  the  riders  and  jumped  to  the  conclusion  that  some- 
thing was  wrong,  or  whether  they  had  learnt  of  the  escape 
from  signals  across  the  hills,  it  was  impossible  to  say.  At 
any  rate  they  were  descending  rapidly,  and  there  was  no 
time  to  lose. 

"  Once  in  the  zig-zag  path  the  odds  will  be  more  evt  *ly 
balanced,"  said  Ellerey.  "  Forward !  Gallop ! " 

"  It  seems  to  me  they  are  making  for  a  point  beyond  the 


192  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

castle,"  said  Stefan.  "  They  are  expecting  us  to  ride  out 
of  the  pass." 

"  So  fortune  favors  us,"  said  Ellerey.  "  Rein  up  alto- 
gether at  the  entrance  to  the  path,  dismount,  and  up  to  the 
plateau  quickly." 

Even  as  they  stopped  with  exact  precision,  a  loud  chal- 
lenge came  from  the  opposite  hill,  and,  no  answer  being 
given,  several  shots  whistled  across  the  pass  and  struck 
close  to  the  entrance  of  the  zig-zag  way. 

"  Up  with  you  quickly ! "  shouted  Ellerey,  who  brought 
up  the  rear.  "  There  is  little  harm  in  such  firing,  and  they 
will  think  twice  before  they  follow  us." 

"  Careful  in  front,  lad,"  Stefan  called  out  to  Grigosie, 
who  led  the  way.  "  Keep  sharp  eyes,  the  plateau  may  be 
occupied." 

The  boy  nodded,  but  he  had  been  looking  out  keenly 
before  the  soldier's  warning,  leading  his  horse  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  cover  himself  as  much  as  possible.  The  pre- 
caution proved  unnecessary ;  the  castle  was  empty.  Stefan 
was  right.  The  brigands  had  not  expected  the  fugitives  to 
make  for  their  old  resting  place,  and  when  they  saw  them 
go  up  the  path  they  shouted  as  though  victory  were  already 
won,  nor  did  they  attempt  to  follow  them.  Why  should 
they  ?  Their  foes  were  caught  surely  as  birds  netted  by  the 
fowler. 

"  See  to  the  horses,  Grigosie,"  said  Ellerey.  "  Put  them 
as  far  back  in  the  ruins  as  possible.  Now,  Stefan,  Anton, 
we'll  heap  stones  across  this  broken  gateway  at  the  head  of 
the  path.  It  shall  be  our  first  line  of  defence,  and  if  it  is 
taken  we  will  see  to  it  that  it  is  dearly  bought." 

"  It  is  not  the  fighting  that  frightens  me,  it's  the  empty 
condition  of  the  larder,"  said  Stefan. 

"Truly  we  are  pariahs  on  God's  earth,"  Ellerey  an- 
swered. "Every  man's  hand  against  us,  but  we'll  snarl 


THE  RACE  FOR  LIFE  193 

and  bite  awhile  in  our  stronghold,  and  then  make  a  dash 
out  and  die  in  the  open." 

They  toiled  with  a  will  all  through  the  afternoon,  heap- 
ing fragments  which  had  fallen  from  the  ruins  across  the 
gateway,  and  driving  in  stakes,  rudely  fashioned  from  any 
planks  they  could  find,  behind  the  stonework  to  strengthen 
it.  Grigosie,  by  Ellerey's  orders,  did  not  assist  in  this  work, 
but  stood  sentinel  upon  the  plateau.  The  boy  had  had  as 
much  as  he  could  stand  for  one  day. 

It  was  growing  dusk  in  the  pass  below  when  they  had 
finished.  Daylight  was  still  upon  the  summit  of  the  moun- 
tains, but  twilight  had  gathered  in  the  deep  valleys  and 
ravines.  The  brigands  still  hung  about  the  pass,  watching 
the  castle,  but  keeping  out  of  range.  It  did  not  appear  that 
they  had  any  intention  of  attacking  it.  As  they  stood  to- 
gether looking  down  upon  their  enemies,  Ellerey  told  Stefan 
what  had  happened  and  the  details  of  their  escape. 

"  These  fellows  will  do  little  until  Vasilici  comes,"  said 
Stefan,  after  a  thoughtful  pause;  "  but  Grigosie's  bullet  has 
raised  all  the  savage  in  him,  I  warrant.  He  will  not  be  con- 
tent to  sit  down  until  we  are  starved  out.  He  will  want  to 
be  at  our  throats." 

"  And  we  are  ready  for  him." 

"  Four  of  us  ?  "  Stefan  asked  quietly  with  a  lift  of  his  shoul- 
ders. "  It  is  a  strange  mistake  about  the  token,  Captain." 

"  Since  the  moment  I  saw  the  golden  cross  dangling  in 
Vasilici's  hand  I  have  had  little  time  to  think  about  the 
meaning  of  it." 

"  Maybe  I  can  help  you  to  that." 

"  What  does  it  mean  ?  "  asked  Ellerey. 

A  shot  in  the  pass  below  stopped  any  answer  to  the 
question.  In  a  few  moments  riders  came  into  view,  fol- 
lowed by  a  crowd  of  brigands  who,  seeing  that  the  castle 
was  occupied,  howled  angry  threatenings  against  it. 


194  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"Surely  those  are  our  fellows,  Captain."  But  there 
was  no  tone  of  pleasure  at  the  escape  of  his  comrades ;  no 
note  of  welcome  in  the  soldier's  voice. 

"  This  looks  like  desertion,"  said  Ellerey. 

One  of  the  soldiers  below  called  out  in  a  stentorian 
voice  which  carried  clearly  in  the  quiet  air. 

"Ho  there,  Stefan!" 

"Well,  comrade?" 

"We're  betrayed  by  that  devilish  Englishman.  Is  he 
there  with  you  ?  " 

"  The  Captain  is  here.     What  of  him  ?  " 

"Throw  him  down  to  us  along  with  the  boy,"  was  the 
answer  shouted  back.  "  He's  tricked  us  all,  and  that  imp 
of  Satan  has  helped  him.  The  token  he  carried  was  not 
from  her  Majesty.  Re's  a  conspirator  against  the  King, 
and  carried  the  golden  cross.  You  know  what  that  means. 
Throw  him  down." 

"  It  were  easier  for  you  to  show  your  courage  and  come 
and  fetch  him." 

"  Our  good  friends  here  will  do  that.  We  have  other 
work  in  hand.  We  ride  back  to  Sturatzberg  to  tell  our 
story,  and  heaven  help  you  if  you  are  alive  when  we  return. 
There'll  be  little  mercy  for  the  companions  of  that  devilish 
Englishman.  Will  you  come  with  us  ?  " 

"I'm  too  old  to  run  away,"  shouted  Stefan,  "and  the 
company  of  cowards  is  not  to  my  liking.  May  they  cut 
your  throats  on  the  plain  yonder  and  ask  for  your  story 
afterward." 

The  brigands  yelled  with  rage,  and  the  soldiers  shouted 
back  coarse  oaths. 

"It  would  do  my  soul  good  to  have  a  shot  at  them,'* 
said  Stefan. 

"  Let  them  go,"  said  Ellerey.  "  We  shall  want  every 
shot  we  have.  We  are  not  without  friends  in  the  capital 


THE  RACE  FOR  LIFE  195 

who  may  hear  of  our  need.  Against  their  will  these  fellows 
may  help  us." 

The  soldiers  below  moved  on.  It  was  evident  that  here 
they  were  to  part  with  the  brigands. 

"  Hold  them  fast  for  punishment,"  cried  the  same  sten- 
torian voice.  "  We  shall  return  with  the  true  message. 
Down  with  all  lovers  of  the  golden  cross !  Death  to  them 
who  serve  Maritza !  Down  with  Maritza ! " 

"  What  is  that  they  shout  ?  "  said  Ellerey. 

The  answer  came  loudly,  borne  upward  on  the  air,  as 
the  soldiers  put  their  horses  into  a  canter  and  rode  down  the 
pass. 

"  Death  to  the  Princess  Maritza ! " 

"  You  hear,  Captain.     Some  one  has  fooled  us  all." 

"Princess  Maritza!"  Ellerey  exclaimed.  "What  has 
she  to  do  with  us  ?  " 

"  Sufficient  to  give  us  a  violent  ending,"  Stefan  answered. 
"  The  golden  cross  is  the  sign  of  her  house,  her  token;  and 
you,  Captain,  have  been  her  messenger." 


CHAPTER  XVI 

THE   TRAITOR 

A  SMILE  wrinkled  Stefan's  face,  not  of  amusement  at  the 
deception  which  had  been  practised  upon  them,  but  in 
expectation  of  disappointed  rage  from  Ellerey.  With  diplo- 
macy and  the  fine  points  of  strategy  Stefan  the  soldier  had 
little  to  do.  His  business  was  fighting.  It  was  his  liveli- 
hood, and  some  day,  near  or  far  in  the  future  as  fate  de- 
creed, it  would  be  his  death.  His  respect  for  his  fellows 
was  measured  by  their  power  of  withstanding  him,  and  the 
man  he  had  the  greatest  affection  for,  perhaps,  was  a  sol- 
dier, now  incapacitated,  who  had  once  in  a  melee  succeeded 
in  knocking  him  from  his  saddle.  At  the  same  time  he 
believed  in  his  own  astuteness,  not  without  some  reason  be 
it  said,  and  in  the  back  of  his  mind  there  was  always  a 
certain  admiration  for  the  man  who  could  get  the  better  of 
him.  It  is  more  than  possible  that  if  he  ever  married  he 
would  thoroughly  respect  his  wife  on  account  of  her  clever- 
ness in  having  hoodwinked  him  into  marrying  her. 

But  the  burst  of  anger  did  not  come.  Ellerey 's  eyes 
were  fixed  on  the  point  in  the  pass  round  which  the  sol- 
diers had  disappeared,  and  for  some  minutes  he  did  not 
speak. 

"What  is  done  must  remain  as  it  is,"  he  said  at  last. 
"  We  have  only  ourselves  to  consider  now.  We  must  watch 
two  and  two,  one  on  the  plateau,  one  at  the  path.  Anton 
and  you,  Stefan ;  Grigosie  and  I.  It's  short  rations  for  us 
and  careful  use  of  cartridges.  We  must  understand  how 


THE  TRAITOR  197 

our  enemy  is  going  to  conduct  this  siege  before  we  calculate 
our  chances.  What  ammunition  have  we  ?  " 

It  was  little  enough  that  the  four  of  them  could  display. 
If  every  cartridge  accounted  for  a  man,  small  damage 
would  be  done  to  their  foes. 

"  I  flung  a  belt  of  cartridges  in  a  corner  of  the  tov.  or 
before  we  left,"  said  Grigosie. 

They  all  turned  to  look  at  him. 

"  Did  you  fling  some  food  into  a  corner,  too  ?  "  asked 
Stefan. 

"  No,  but  I  marked  that  birds  used  the  plateau  in  the 
early  morning,"  Grigosie  answered. 

"  They'll  be  coming  in  larger  numbers  presently,  and, 
maybe,  get  a  good  picking  off  the  four  of  us,"  said  Stefan. 
"You  haven't  happened  upon  a  fountain  of  wine,  have 
you?" 

"  That,  too,  is  supplied,  Stefan;  you  can  hear  it  leaping 
down  the  mountain-side,  and  see  it  too,"  and  the  boy  pointed 
to  a  corner  of  the  plateau  which  was  within  reach  of  the 
narrow  stream  which,  from  the  heights,  fell  with  many  a 
cascade  into  the  pass  beneath. 

Stefan  looked  at  him  for  a  moment,  and  then  said  in 
disgust:  "  Water  and  birds ;  fairies' fodder." 

"  It  might  be  worse,"  said  Anton. 

"Wait  a  day  or  two,  comrade,  and  you'll  be  crying  a 
different  tale,"  said  Stefan,  "although,  for  that  matter,  the 
food  will  doubtless  last  our  time.  Had  we,  in  our  small 
circle  here,  half  a  dozen  taverns  filled  from  cellar  floor  to 
garret  ceiling,  those  fellows  yonder  would  give  us  little 
chance  of  visiting  them.  Keep  watch  here,  Anton ;  I'll  go 
to  the  gate." 

"  We'll  rest,  Grigosie,"  said  Ellerey. 

The  boy  turned  and  entered  the  tower,  but  Ellerey  did 
not  follow  him  at  once.  He  paced  in  and  out  the  ruined 


198  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

walls,  his  hands  clasped  behind  him,  deep  in  thought  and 
troubled. 

Who  had  deceived  him  ?  It  could  only  be  the  Queen, 
or  the  man  who  had  brought  him  the  token,  or  perhaps  De 
Proilette.  Indeed,  they  might  all  be  in  a  conspiracy  to 
deceive  him.  Yet  why  should  the  Queen  desire  to  deliver 
the  token  of  Princess  Maritza's  house  to  the  brigands  ? 
Hov  could  it  serve  her  ends  ?  De  Froilette's  position  and 
political  aims  were  less  clear.  Ellerey  had  never  believed 
him  heart  whole  in  his  devotion  to  her  Majesty ;  yet  surely 
he  would  have  taken  the  precaution  to  find  out  how  such  a 
token  would  be  received  before  sending  it.  He  was  not  the 
man  to  risk  the  work  of  years  without  some  real  hope  of 
success.  Then  Ellerey's  thoughts  turned  to  the  woman 
who  had  craved  his  help  in  the  Altstrasse,  the  manner  in 
which  he  had  been  searched  for  the  token,  the  masked  wom- 
an who  had  come  to  look  upon  him,  and  the  warning  she 
had  given  him.  Baron  Petrescu,  too,  had  probably  forced 
the  duel  upon  him  because  of  the  token,  believing  that  it 
had  been  delivered  to  him  that  night  by  the  Queen.  At  his 
interview  with  her  Majesty,  the  token  which  had  been  de- 
cided upon  was  the  bracelet  of  medallions;  it  was  hardly 
likely  that  it  would  be  suddenly  changed.  Somehow  the 
bracelet  had  been  filched  from  the  sealed  box,  and  the 
golden  cross  placed  there  instead.  Ellerey  decided  that 
the  power  to  effect  this  change  lay  only  with  the  man  who 
had  brought  him  the  token,  and  on  this  man  he  fixed  the 
blame. 

Whoever  was  responsible  for  it,  the  scheme  had  failed 
miserably,  and  it  was  difficult  to  see  how  success  could  ever 
have  been  hoped  for.  On  the  other  hand  it  could  hardly 
be  supposed  that  all  those  who  followed  the  fortunes  of  the 
golden  cross  were  fools,  acting  upon  sudden  impulse,  court- 
ing disaster.  They  must  have  had  some  reason  for  believing 


THE  TRAITOR  199 

that  the  token  would  receive  some  consideration  from  the 
brigands  and  those  who  had  gathered  to  their  standard. 
Possibly  they  had  themselves  been  deceived,  even  as  they 
had  attempted  to  deceive.  Ellerey  could  not  doubt  that 
Princess  Maritza  had  a  considerable  following  in  Sturatz- 
berg,  that  the  seeds  of  the  rebellion  were  widely  scattered. 
The  soldiers  now  riding  toward  the  capital  would  spread 
the  news  of  failure,  and  the  rebellion  in  self-defence  might 
be  forced  to  break  into  open  conflict  at  once.  Even  then, 
would  Maritza's  followers  give  a  thought  to  the  remnant  of 
the  band  who  had  carried  [the  message  ?  If  [Countess  Ma- 
vrodin  had  a  voice  in  their  councils,  as  surely  she  must  have, 
they  might.  The  chance  of  rescue  was  a  slender  one,  but 
a  hope  did  exist. 

Strange  to  say,  anger  at  the  trick  which  had  been  played 
upon  him  did  not  assert  itself  in  any  great  degree,  in  spite 
of  the  fact  that  all  hope  of  honor  and  advancement  was  now 
at  an  end.  Vasilici's  attitude  had  doubtless  something  to 
do  with  Ellerey's  state  of  mind,  personal  antagonism  rising 
above  ambition;  but  this  would  not  have  been  the  case 
probably  had  Ellerey  been  forced  against  his  will  into  any 
other  service  than  that  of  Princess  Maritza.  There  was  a 
charm  for  him  in  her  name,  the  memory  of  her  had  dwelt 
with  him  and  lent  a  halo  of  romance  to  his  present  position. 
He  saw  her  again  with  her  hair  streaming  in  the  breeze,  and 
felt  again  the  subtle  strength  and  vigor  that  were  in  her. 
Had  he  not  thought  then  that  it  would  be  good  to  fight  in 
her  cause?  Why  should  he  rage  at  the  circumstances 
which  had  forced  him  into  it  ? 

When  he  entered  the  tower  Grigosie  was  asleep,  and  he 
lay  down  to  snatch  what  rest  he  could  before  relieving  An- 
ton and  Stefan. 

When  they  went  on  duty,  Grigosie  watched  by  the  path, 
Ellerey  on  the  plateau. 


200  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"They  will  wait  for  Vasilici,"  Stefan  said,  when  he  re- 
ported that  all  had  been  quiet  so  far. 

Ellerey  paced  up  and  down,  pausing  at  short  intervals 
to  listen.  Not  a  sound  broke  the  deep  silence.  The  great 
world  seemed  to  lie  still  and  motionless  under  the  glow  of 
the  moonlit  night  and  the  pale  glimmer  of  the  stars.  It 
wa  as  time  to  dream  of  life  and  realized  ambition,  not  to 
ponder  on  lurking  death  and  failure.  He  walked  pres- 
ently to  the  head  of  the  zig-zag  path. 

"Your  castle  has  proved  a  refuge  after  all,  Grigosie. 
How  came  you  to  be  prophetic  ?  " 

"  I  did  not  believe  my  own  prophecy." 

"  Yet  you  hid  the  cartridges." 

"  Believing,  perhaps,  that  they  would  never  be  wanted," 
Grigosie  answered.  "I  am  full  of  strange  thoughts  and 
superstitions  to-night,  Captain,  and  cannot  talk." 

"  It  is  the  moon  and  the  stars,  Grigosie." 

"  Madmen's  time,  when  everything  is  distorted,"  an- 
swered the  lad. 

"  And  lovers'  time  too,  Grigosie." 

"  Which  are  you,  madman  or  lover  ?  " 

"  A  little  of  both,  I  think,"  Ellerey  answered. 

"  And  below  us  death  is  waiting,"  said  Grigosie. 

"  I  don't  think  death  is  coming  to  us  this  time,"  replied 
Ellerey. 

The  boy  did  not  answer.  Several  times  during  those 
watching  hours  Ellerey  went  to  the  head  of  the  path,  but 
Grigosie  never  spoke,  never  turned  to  him.  His  thoughts 
and  superstitions  occupied  him ;  and  with  the  light  of  day 
Ellerey  noticed  that  there  was  something  in  his  face  which 
was  new.  He  had  changed  during  the  night.  Something 
— was  it  his  courage  ? — seemed  to  have  left  him,  but  in  its 
place  there  had  come  an  addition  to  him,  to  his  expression, 
almost  to  his  character,  Ellerey  fancied.  He  watched  the 


THE  TRAITOR  201 

lad  enter  the  tower,  saw  him  cast  himself  wearily  into  his 
corner,  and  would  have  followed  him  had  not  Stefan  de- 
tained him. 

"  I  was  right,  Captain.  Vasilici  is  coming.  They  are 
gathering  in  the  pass  waiting  for  him." 

A  little  later  a  shout  proclaimed  the  arrival  of  the  chief, 
and  Ellerey  saw  his  huge  frame  in  the  midst  of  his  followers . 
His  right  hand  was  swathed  in  a  handkerchief  and  rested 
in  a  sling,  and  savage  ferocity  was  in  his  face  as  he  looked 
up  toward  the  castle.  His  orders,  and  he  appeared  to  give 
many,  were  promptly  obeyed,  and  he  struck  one  man  vi- 
ciously, perhaps  because  he  dared  to  offer  advice  unasked. 
It  was  evidence  of  his  power  among  them  that  no  one  inter- 
fered, nor  did  the  victim  himself  retaliate.  Men  began  to 
climb  the  opposite  slopes,  while  others  massed  themselves 
at  the  foot  of  the  zig-zag  pass. 

"They  are  going  to  attack  us  at  once,  Captain,"  said 
Stefan.  "  It  is  to  be  hot  work  for  us  to-day." 

At  the  head  of  the  path  the  little  band  of  defenders 
waited. 

"Every  shot  must  tell,"  Ellerey  whispered,  "and  keep 
well  behind  the  stonework,  all  of  you." 

The  path  was  narrow  with  deep  sides.  The  brigands 
came  up  it  boldly  enough  until  the  last  bend  in  it  showed 
them  the  stone-barred  gateway.  Then  they  halted,  and 
the  foremost  leaned  back  upon  those  behind  who  pushed 
them  on  and  shouted :  "  Forward ! "  Two  men  fired  blindly 
at  the  stone  wall,  and  then  rushed  upon  it,  never  to  reach 
their  goal.  Only  two  shots  rang  out,  but  both  men  threw 
up  their  arms  and  staggered  backward  upon  their  com- 
panions. Not  more  than  two  abreast  could  come  up  the 
narrow  way,  and  twice  again  a  speedy  death  crowned  the 
temerity  of  those  who  rushed  to  the  attack.  Those  behind 
shouted  to  be  let  up  to  the  front,  and  those  before  made 


202  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

every  effort  to  let  them  come.  The  spirit  of  the  brigands 
seemed  to  die  out  of  them  as  their  eyes  fell  upon  their  dead 
companions  and  that  silent  death-dealing  barricade.  Then 
one  fellow  suddenly  picked  up  a  corpse,  and  holding  it  be- 
fore him  as  a  shield,  dashed  forward  with  a  shout. 

"  Let  him  come,"  whispered  Ellerey.  "  Shoot  at  those 
who  follow." 

The  man  rushed  to  the  wall  until  the  dead  body  struck 
the  stonework.  Success  for  a  moment  seemed  to  be  his. 
He  had  plugged  one  narrow  slit  through  which  the  bullets 
came,  and  he  cheered  his  comrades  on.  They  came,  but 
only  to  have  their  leader  fall  back  into  their  arms.  Through 
the  slit  Ellerey  had  driven  his  sword  with  all  his  strength, 
piercing  the  living  through  the  dead.  It  had  been  an  ugly 
rush,  but  for  the  present  it  was  the  last. 

"  They'll  try  some  other  plan  before  attempting  this  way 
again,"  said  Stefan. 

"  Is  there  any  other  way  ?  "  Grigosie  asked. 

"  For  mountaineers  there  may  be.  These  fellows  can 
walk  in  places  where  we  should  never  venture  and  only 
expect  to  find  flies." 

From  the  opposite  mountain  a  desultory  fire  was  main- 
tained upon  the  plateau,  which  could  only  do  harm  if  the 
defenders  were  careless.  For  the  rest  of  the  day  the  bri- 
gands held  aloof,  standing  or  sitting  in  parties  in  the  pass 
and  watching  the  castle.  Vasilici  strode  from  one  group 
to  another,  but  no  movement  followed.  There  was  no 
sleep  for  the  defenders  that  night,  and  at  dawn,  in  spite  of 
Stefan's  forecast,  another  attack  was  made  upon  the  gate. 
It  was  as  unsuccessful  as  the  first,  nor  was  it  made  with 
such  determination.  The  obedience  to  orders  was  only 
half-hearted. 

Later  in  the  day  it  became  evident  that  a  council  of  war 
was  being  held.  The  murmur  of  the  men's  voices  reached 


THE  TRAITOR  203 

the  plateau,  but  no  words  could  be  distinguished.  An  oath 
from  Vasilici  sounded  clearly  now  and  again,  but  that  was 
all.  Some  persuasion  was  apparently  pressed  upon  the 
chief  which  he  jeered  and  laughed  at,  but  there  was  a  shak- 
ing of  heads  when  he  pointed  to  the  zig-zag  way.  His  fol- 
lowers were  not  inclined  to  try  that  road  to  victory  again. 
They  had  had  their  surfeit  of  it.  Vasilici  was  quick-witted 
enough  to  see  that  he  must  listen  to  counsel,  and  with  lower- 
ing visage  he  turned  first  to  one  and  then  to  another  as  they 
spoke.  Presently  one  speaker  seemed  to  please  him,  for 
his  features  relaxed  into  a  grim  smile.  A  movement  ran 
through  the  whole  assembly,  men  turned  to  one  another 
and  nodded  their  satisfaction.  Some  definite  conclusion 
had  been  arrived  at. 

"  They  seem  to  have  hit  upon  another  way  of  getting 
at  us,"  said  Stefan. 

"  Is  there  another  way  ?  "  asked  Grigosie,  repeating  the 
same  question  he  had  asked  before.  No  one  answered 
him,  nor  did  he  seem  to  expect  an  answer.  He  stood 
watching  the  now  moving  mass  below,  little  interest  in  his 
eyes.  His  alertness  had  departed. 

Vasilici  had  disappeared  into  some  pathway  at  the  foot 
of  the  opposite  slope,  and  then  the  crowd  fell  aside  for  one 
man,  who,  standing  alone,  took  off  his  neckcloth  and  waved 
it  toward  the  plateau. 

"A  parley,  Captain.  Shall  I  answer?"  said  Stefan; 
and  then,  having  permission,  he  shouted :  "  Hallo ! " 

"  I  would  speak  with  your  Captain,"  came  the  answer. 

"  I'm  a  mouthpiece,  comrade,  same  as  you  are.  Speak 
on." 

"  I  am  commanded  to  offer  you  your  lives  and  freedom 
on  one  condition." 

"And  the  condition?"  Stefan  shouted,  prompted  by 
Ellerey. 


204  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  You  are  free  to  leave  the  pass  unmolested  if  you  will 
deliver  up  the  youth  who  is  of  your  company." 

"  We'll  see  you "  Stefan  began,  without  any  prompt- 
ing. 

"Word  it  as  you  will,"  said  Ellerey,  "the  coarser  the 
better,  perhaps,  for  such  a  devilish  suggestion." 

"Wait!"  exclaimed  Grigosie.  "Ask  for  time  to  con- 
sider." 

"  Who  wants  to  consider  such  a  thing  as  that  ?  "  growled 
Stefan. 

"We  gain  time,"  said  Grigosie,  turning  to  Ellerey. 
"  Say  you  will  consider  the  suggestion  and  answer  them  to- 
morrow. WTe  sorely  need  rest;  what  does  it  matter  how 
we  gain  it  ?  " 

"  My  gorge  revolts  against  their  even  fancying  that  we 
should  consider  such  a  thing,"  said  Stefan. 

"Command  him,  Captain,"  pleaded  Grigosie.  "In 
war  and  love  everything  is  fair." 

Ellerey  gave  way  and  Stefan  shouted  the  answer. 

"Until  to-morrow,"  came  the  answer.  "The  youth 
once  in  our  hands,  you  are  free  to  depart.  If  he  is  not  given 
up  to  us  we  will  have  our  revenge,  though  half  the  sons  of 
these  mountains  fall  in  the  gaining  it ;  and  the  longer  that 
revenge  is  delayed  the  fiercer  shall  it  be  when  it  does  come. 
Until  to-morrow.  There  shall  be  peace  between  us  until 
then." 

"  But  we'll  keep  watch  by  the  gate  for  all  that,"  growled 
Stefan,  who  was  not  in  the  best  of  tempers  at  having  to  an- 
swer the  brigands  in  this  fashion. 

"  There  is  another  way,  you  see, "  said  Grigosie.  "  I 
have  got  an  answer  to  my  question." 

"Well,  lad,  when  you  alone  are  in  their  hands,  the  rest 
of  us  will  have  said  his  last  prayer,  or  growled  his  last  oath, 
whichever  pleases  him  best  at  the  hour  of  departure." 


THE  TRAITOR  205 

"  The  question  is  not  so  easily  settled,  Stefan,"  Grigosie 
said.  "  Send  Anton  to  the  gate,  Captain,  while  we  dis- 
cuss it." 

Ellerey  laughed  at  the  lad's  strange  mood  as  he  entered 
the  tower  with  him.  Stefan  followed  them  and  stood  in 
the  doorway. 

"  The  question  is  worth  consideration,  though  you  may 
not  think  so,"  Grigosie  began.  "  You  have  been  deceived, 
Captain,  and  also  those  who  served  with  you." 

"  Enough  of  that,  lad.  It  is  past,  and  the  present  is  our 
concern.  If  we  come  out  of  this  with  our  lives  we  may  talk 
of  punishing  those  who  deceived  us." 

"  Should  it  not  be  a  bitter  punishment  ?  "  queried  the 
boy. 

"  As  bitter  as  the  death  to  which  they  have  brought  us 
face  to  face,"  said  Ellerey  fiercely,  his  whole  being  roused 
for  a  moment  at  the  thought  of  the  outrage  practised  upon 
him. 

"  But  that  revenge  seems  out  of  your  power,"  Grigosie 
went  on.  "For  you  and  Stefan  there  is  almost  certain 
death  to-morrow  or  a  week  hence,  it  may  be." 

"  It  is  very  likely.  I  have  looked  death  in  the  face  be- 
fore, and  so  has  Stefan  there.  When  we  look  into  his  eyes 
for  the  last  time  I  warrant  we  shall  not  change  color." 

"  Except  with  the  heat  of  our  final  struggle,"  said  Stefan 
from  the  doorway. 

"Your  comrades  have  gone.  You  two  stand  alone,'* 
said  Grigosie. 

"  With  you  and  Anton,"  said  Stefan. 

"And  we  wish  for  no  better  companions,"  added  El- 
lerey. "Vasilici's  knife  would  have  written  finis  to  my 
history  had  it  not  been  for  you,  Grigosie." 

The  boy  colored  a  little  with  pleasure. 

"  Still  you  forget,  Captain,  that  Anton  and  I  were  not 


206  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

of  your  choosing.  We  forced  ourselves  into  your  com- 
pany." 

"What of  it ?  I  am  glad,  I " and  then  the  look  in 

Grigosie's  eyes  stopped  Ellerey  suddenly.  Stefan,  too, 
started  from  his  leaning  position  and  stood  upright  in  the 
entrance,  looking  straight  at  the  boy. 

"  By  your  leave,  I  would  become  the  hostage  for  your 
safety,"  said  Grigosie.  "  I  asked  you  to  take  me  with  you; 
now  I  ask  you  to  give  me  up." 

"Plague  upon  you,  lad,  you  almost  anger  me.  You 
are  beyond  my  understanding,"  was  Ellerey's  answer,  but 
he  still  looked  fixedly  at  him. 

"  Since  I  have  deceived  you  it  is  fitting  that  I  should  pay 
the  penalty,"  said  the  boy  quietly.  "  I  would  sooner  meet 
death  at  their  hands  than  at  yours.  Grant  me  this  much, 
and  make  an  end  of  it." 

"You!"  exclaimed  Ellerey.  "You  deceived  me!  I 
do  not  believe  it." 

"  It  is  the  truth.  Stay,  I  would  not  have  you  think  too 
ill  of  me.  It  was  not  done  wantonly.  Those  who  made 
me  believe  that  there  was  a  good  chance  of  success  misled 
me,  but  if  I  thought  you  too  would  reap  the  benefit,  it  is 
none  the  less  true  that  I  deceived  you.  I  came  not  from 
the  Queen;  I  came  to  work  this  very  thing  that  has  hap- 
pened, the  delivery  of  the  golden  cross  instead  of  the  brace- 
let. I  have  played  my  hand  and  lost.  Mine  should  be  a 
bitter  punishment;  you  yourself  have  said  it.  Grant  me 
this  only,  that  I  receive  it  from  the  brigands  yonder,  and  not 
from  you." 

Ellerey  hardly  seemed  to  hear  the  boy's  latter  words. 
The  sudden  confession  was  all  his  brain  seemed  to  have  the 
power  to  take  in.  Stefan  remained  motionless,  statue-like, 
still  staring  at  Grigosie.  For  a  space  there  was  silence  in 
the  tower. 


THE  TRAITOR  207 

Then  Ellerey  turned  sharply  upon  the  boy  and  laid  his 
hand  roughly  on  his  shoulder,  so  roughly  that  he  winced 
a  little,  but  showed  no  sign  of  fear. 

"You  lie,  Grigosie,  confess  that  you  lie.  The  box  con- 
taining the  token  has  never  left  me,  night  or  day.  As  I  re- 
ceived it  from  her  Majesty  so  it  has  always  been,  so  I  deliv- 
ered it.  Of  course  you  are  lying. " 

"  You  slept  soundly,  Captain,  the  night  you  drank  from 
my  wine  flask." 

"  Was  it  then,  you  scoundrel  ?  " 

"It  was  then." 

Deep  down  in  every  man  is  the  instinct  of  the  savage, 
the  acceptance  of  the  law  which  demands  an  eye  for  an  eye 
and  a  tooth  for  a  tooth.  Given  occasion  great  enough,  it 
may  rise  even  in  the  man  who  has  all  his  life  studied  to  curb 
his  passions,  and  in  his  judgments  to  be  merciful.  Ellerey 
was  of  the  rough  and  readier  sort.  He  was  a  disappointed 
man,  one  who  nursed  the  thought  of  revenge  against  those 
who  had  injured  him.  He  was  a  soldier  among  soldiers 
who  had  much  of  the  barbarian  in  them.  He  was  an  ad- 
venturer among  adventurers.  If  the  youth  of  this  de- 
ceiver and  betrayer  appealed  to  him  for  a  moment,  the 
thought  was  sternly  crushed.  If  the  thought  of  what  they 
had  come  through  together  came  into  his  mind,  there  also 
came  the  knowledge  that  he  had  committed  the  unpardon- 
able sin.  He  had  betrayed  his  comrades. 

"  Heaven  forgive  you  for  making  me  your  judge,"  El- 
lerey cried ;  "  but  what  is  there  except  death  for  the  traitor  ?  " 
and  his  sword  rang  from  its  scabbard  as  he  spoke. 

He  paused  a  moment  and  looked  toward  Stefan. 

"  It's  hateful,  but  it's  just,"  muttered  the  soldier  in  his 
beard,  and  he  did  not  move  from  the  doorway.  He  only 
lowered  his  head  so  that  he  might  not  see. 

"  I  admit  the  justice,"  said  Grigosie ;  "  but  will  you  not 


208  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

grant  my  request  and  deliver  me  to  the  brigands  ?  So  you 
shall  escape." 

"  Escape ! "  cried  Ellerey.  "  For  what  ?  Is  there  any 
truth  and  honor  in  the  world  ?  I  have  not  found  them,  and 
the  end  may  come  when  it  will.  It  is  an  easier  death 
you  shall  have  from  my  hands  than  you  would  have  from 
theirs." 

The  sword  was  ready,  and  Stefan  turned  in  the  doorway 
just  in  time  to  see  Anton  and  to  catch  his  uplifted  arm  as 
he  attempted  to  rush  past  him  toward  Ellerey.  Not  a 
word  spoke  the  soldier,  but  he  fiercely  twisted  Anton's  arm, 
and  the  knife  he  held  rattled  to  the  floor. 

"As  my  fathers  faced  death,  so  can  I,  unflinchingly," 
Grigosie  cried.  "  Strike,  Captain !  God  knows  it  was  not 
such  work  as  this  I  thought  to  find  for  the  strong  arm  of 
Desmond  Ellerey." 

As  he  spoke,  he  tore  his  shirt  open  at  the  throat  to  xe- 
ceive  the  blow.  His  cap  fell  from  his  head,  and  curls,  the 
hue  of  copper,  slipped  loosely  down  upon  his  forehead, 
while  the  open  shirt  just  revealed  the  curve  of  a  white 
bosom. 

"  A  woman ! "  exclaimed  Stefan,  letting  go  of  Anton  in 
his1  blank  astonishment. 

Slowly  Ellerey's  sword  was  lowered,  and  for  a  moment 
he  did  not  speak.  Then  almost  in  a  whisper  he  said : 

"  Maritza !    Princess  Maritza." 


CHAPTER  XVII 

THE   TRUE   WORTH    OF   BARON   PETRESCU 

THERE  was  excitement  in  Sturatzberg.  Rumor  flies  fast, 
and  the  moment  it  was  whispered  that  the  city  gates  were 
watched,  that  Captain  Ellerey,  of  his  Majesty's  Horse,  was 
to  be  arrested,  men  began  to  stop  and  gossip  at  street  cor- 
ners, and  women  to  stand  upon  their  thresholds  ready  to 
give,  or  to  receive,  information.  Strange  stories  grew  cur- 
rent in  this  manner,  which  served  to  keep  the  excitement 
alive  until  more  definite  news  were  forthcoming.  There 
was  unwonted  stir  in  the  secret  societies  and  clubs,  Sympa- 
thy being  with  Ellerey,  since  he  had  in  some  manner  of- 
fended the  Government.  They  did  not  stay  to  inquire 
what  he  had  done,  or,  indeed,  to  think  whether  his  action 
would  tend  to  further  any  scheme  of  their  own;  it  was 
enough  that  he  had  shown  defiance  to  the  powers  that  be. 
Every  hour  fresh  rumors  were  started  and  eagerly  discussed 
and  as  eagerly  denied.  Only  two  things  were  definite: 
there  was  much  coming  and  going  at  the  palace,  and  Cap- 
tain Ellerey  was  not  to  be  found. 

Those  who  lead  rebellion,  or  pull  the  wires  of  conspir- 
acies, are  seldom  open  with  those  they  lead,  any  more  than 
the  policy  of  King's  Ministers  is  wholly  spread  before  the 
people.  There  were  leaders  in  Sturatzberg  who  knew 
many  things,  who  shrewdly  guessed  at  more,  and  their 
knowledge  was  not  reassuring. 

Lord  Cloverton  did  not  expect  the  immediate  arrest  of 
Ellerey  after  the  failure  to  discover  him  at  the  Countess 
14 


210  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

Mavrodin's.  He  had  fully  believed  that  he  was  there,  and 
had  purposely  kept  the  Countess  driving  in  the  Bois  until 
such  time  as  the  search  should  be  accomplished.  The  fail- 
ure was  disappointing,  but  his  interview  with  the  Countess 
would  bear  fruit.  Ellerey  would  have  to  move  cautiously, 
and  time  was  therefore  gained.  The  gates  were  closed 
that  night,  and  no  Captain  Ellerey  had  passed  through 
them.  Countess  Mavrodin's  house  was  watched,  and  no 
one  had  left  it.  So  the  Ambassador  met  the  morning  with 
a  smile ;  so  far  his  prompt  action  had  saved  the  situation. 
A  few  hours  were  destined  to  bring  him  surprises.  First 
came  the  news  of  the  return  of  Captain  Ward's  cloak.  The 
messenger  who  brought  it  was  promptly  taken  before  the  Am- 
bassador and  sharply  questioned.  He  had  received  it  from 
Captain  Ellerey  himself  an  hour  before  midnight,  he  said. 

"  Why  were  you  chosen  as  a  messenger  ?  "  asked  Lord 
Cloverton. 

"I  cannot  say.  I  brought  it  because  I  was  paid  to 
do  so." 

"You  seem  very  certain  of  the  time.  Did  Captain 
Ellerey  tell  you  the  hour  ?  " 

"  No,  sir;  the  clocks  were  striking  the  hour  as  he  spoke 
tome." 

"  What  is  Captain  Ellerey  like  ?  " 

The  description  given  seemed  satisfactory  until  after 
the  man  had  been  dismissed,  and  then  Lord  Cloverton 
recognized  that  it  would  fit  many  men.  The  cloak  was 
Captain  Ward's,  but  there  was  no  certainty  that  Ellerey 
was  the  man  who  had  given  it  to  the  messenger.  To-day 
the  city  was  being  searched ;  the  return  of  the  cloak  went 
to  prove  that  Ellerey  was  still  in  Sturatzberg;  had  that  been 
the  intention  in  returning  it?  The  smile  of  satisfaction 
slowly  faded  from  the  Ambassador's  face,  and  he  began  to 
grow  feverish  for  further  news. 


TRUE  WORTH  OF  BARON  PETRESCU    211 

Later  he  was  with  the  King  when  the  Countess  Mavro- 
din  begged  for  an  audience. 

"She  may  unwittingly  enlighten  your  Majesty,"  said 
Lord  Cloverton.  He  could  not  believe  that  his  cleverness 
would  not  be  sufficient,  sooner  or  later,  to  make  the  Coun- 
tess betray  herself,  although  the  past  was  utterly  barren  of 
result. 

So  Frina  Mavrodin  was  admitted.  The  presence  of 
the  British  Ambassador  did  not  disconcert  her.  She  went 
to  the  point  at  once. 

"  Is  it  true,  your  Majesty,  that  my  house  was  searched 
yesterday  by  your  instructions  ?  "  she  asked. 

"  Countess,  how  can  you  think  that  ?  "  said  the  King. 
"  It  is  true  that  I  commanded  the  arrest  of  Captain  Ellerey, 
and  that  command  may  have  been  used  to  open  your  doors, 
as  it  would  serve  to  open  any  door  in  Sturatzberg." 

"  I  have  heard  of  no  other  house  being  entered  by  force," 
the  Countess  answered.  "  Naturally,  I  seek  to  know  why 
I  am  suspected." 

She  puzzled  Lord  Cloverton  more  than  ever.  This 
was  a  bold  stroke  to  disarm  suspicion. 

"  My  dear  Countess,"  said  the  King,  blandly,  "  would 
you  hold  me  responsible  for  the  actions  of  my  officers  ?  Be- 
lieve me,  the  city  is  being  searched  in  every  corner  for  this 
rebel  Captain.  It  is  pardonable  if  in  the  search  some  an- 
noyance is  given  to  innocent  persons,  is  it  not  ?  Their  loy- 
alty should  overlook  the  offence." 

"True;  but  your  Majesty,  I  would  humbly  submit, 
overlooks  one  fact  of  the  gravest  importance  to  me.  That 
my  house  is  searched  for  a  rebel  is  nothing;  but  when  it  is 
searched  for  a  man  who,  at  Court,  has  been  somewhat  in 
my  company,  the  action  affects  me  curiously.  It  is  not  a 
question  of  loyalty,  but  one  which  concerns  my  fair  fame." 

"  Surely,  Countess,  you  exaggerate." 


212  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"Indeed,  your  Majesty,  I  do  not,  as  Lord  Cloverton 
can  prove.  Only  yesterday,  in  the  Bois,  he  made  it  evident 
that  Court  gossip  linked  my  name  with  Captain  Ellerey's, 
and  even  suggested  that  I  might  render  service  to  my  coun- 
try and  this  Englishman  at  the  same  time  by  saying  all  I 
knew.  Is  it  not  so,  my  lord  ?  You  were  very  anxious  to 
save  your  countryman  and  get  him  out  of  the  city  ?  " 

This  was  more  than  the  Ambassador  had  bargained  for 
and  an  answer  did  not  come  readily  to  his  lips. 

"  Is  it  not  so,  my  lord  ?  "  the  Countess  repeated. 

"  I  admit,  Countess,  that,  fancying  there  was  some  ten- 
der understanding  between  you  and  my  countryman,  I  was 
willing,  if  possible,  to  render  you  a  service.  I  seem  to  have 
heard  that  love  has  been  accountable  for  strange,  and  even 
foolish  actions.  This  is  the  beginning  and  the  end  of  my 
offence." 

"  Are  you  sure  of  that  ?  "  she  said.  "  Forgive  me  if  I  am 
mistaken,  but  the  searching  of  my  house  was  strangely 
timed  with  our  drive  in  the  Bois." 

"  Oh,  Countess ! "  the  Ambassador  exclaimed.  "  Surely 
you  forget  that  I  only  availed  myself  of  your  courteous  in- 
vitation." 

"  Which  I  could  do  no  less  than  give  since  you  explained 
that  you  had  foregone  your  afternoon  sleep  to  meet  me 
there,"  she  replied  quickly,  and  smiled,  the  smile  of  a  very 
charming  woman  of  the  world,  as  most  people  considered 
her;  but  Lord  Cloverton  seemed  to  catch  some  meaning 
behind  the  smile,  and  the  King  felt  that  he  ought  to  come 
to  his  rescue. 

"  We  have  both  fallen  under  the  Countess's  displeasure ; 
how  can  we  prove  how  unjustly  ?  I  will  reprimand  my  too 
zealous  officers,  and  they  shall  make  you  an  apology." 

"Your  Majesty  is  good,"  she  answered.  " For  myself 
it  is  no  great  consequence,  but  had  you  witnessed  the  con- 


TRUE  WORTH  OF  BARON  PETRESCU     213 

sternation  of  my  servants,  you  would  have  understood  how 
serious  a  matter  it  was  in  their  eyes." 

"Subjects  and  servants  alike,  Countess,  are  our  mas- 
ters," said  the  King. 

Frina  Mavrodin  departed  full  of  thanks  and  wreathed 
in  gracious  smiles.  When  she  had  gone,  the  King  and  the 
Ambassador  looked  inquiringly  at  each  other. 

"I  think  your  suspicions  were  unfounded,  my  lord," 
the  King  said. 

"  I  missed  the  centre  of  the  target,  your  Majesty,  but  I 
believe  I  aimed  at  the  right  mark.  She  is  a  clever  woman ; 
I  admire  her  more  every  day." 

Lord  Cloverton  spoke  the  truth;  he  did  admire  her. 
Like  all  great  men,  he  was  quick  to  recognize  the  sterling 
worth  of  his  adversaries,  and  it  was  borne  in  upon  him  more 
and  more  that  in  this  crisis  he  had  a  clever  and  beautiful 
woman  to  deal  with,  and  what  antagonist  could  be  more 
powerful  ?  He  began  to  rearrange  his  thoughts  upon  this 
basis,  passed  in  review  all  the  seemingly  trivial  incidents 
with  which  Frida  Mavrodin  had  been  connected,  and  found 
many  new  meanings  in  them.  The  possibility  that  her  in- 
fluence might  be  paramount  in  Sturatzberg  dawned  upon 
him.  Such  a  subtle  power  at  work  would  explain  many 
things,  and  the  Ambassador  determined  to  watch  her  more 
closely  than  ever. 

All  that  day  search  was  made  for  Captain  Ellerey 
throughout  the  city.  Many  places,  known  to  be  haunts  of 
the  dissatisfied,  were  entered,  but  were  innocent  of  even 
the  appearance  of  evil.  There  were  too  many  ready  to 
bear  warning  for  such  places  to  be  taken  unawares.  But 
no  other  houses  of  such  importance  as  the  Countess  Mav- 
rodin's  were  disturbed.  There  was  no  result.  No  one  had 
seen  Captain  Ellerey ;  indeed,  few  people  appeared  to  know 
him,  or  to  have  heard  of  him.  This  Lord  Cloverton  did 


214  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

not  believe.     He  thought  he  recognized  Frina  Mavrodin's 
influence  at  work  in  such  ignorance. 

It  was  on  the  following  day  that  Monsieur  De  Froilette 
called  at  the  Embassy,  and  was  shown  into  Lord  Clover- 
ton's  room.  With  this  new  train  of  thought  in  his  mind, 
the  Frenchman's  importance  in  the  politics  of  Wallaria  ap- 
peared to  sink  into  insignificance. 

"You  are  welcome,  monsieur.     Is  this  a  friendly  visit 
>» 

"Friendly,  certainly,  but  something  more,"  De  Froi- 
lette answered.  He  had  not  come  to  the  Embassy  without 
due  deliberation.  He  had  had  an  audience  with  the  Queen 
that  morning,  and  there  was  something  in  her  tone  which 
decided  him  to  make  his  own  interests  doubly  secure 
by  giving  help  to  the  British  Ambassador — such  help  that 
might  count  for  much  when  the  time  for  settling  ac- 
counts came,  but  which  should  not  materially  hasten  that 
time. 

"  I  had  begun  to  think  you  had  forgotten  your  promise,' ' 
said  Lord  Cloverton,  "  News  of  Captain  Ellerey  would  be 
very  useful  to — to  the  Government  of  this  country.  You 
had  a  servant  watching  him,  I  think." 

There  was  something  resembling  the  Queen's  tone  in  the 
Ambassador's — a  want  of  appreciation  of  his  position 
and  importance. 

"That  is  so,"  replied  De  Froilette  quietly.  "I  under- 
stand you — that  is,  the  Government — have  done  your  ut- 
most to  find  this  Englishman,  and  have  failed." 

"  At  present,  monsieur,  at  present." 

"Which  is  hardly  wonderful,"  continued  De  Froilette. 
"  I  have  so  constantly  observed  that  you — the  Government, 
I  should  say — concentrates  its  energies  in  the  wrong  direc- 
tion ;  is  it  not  so,  my  lord  ?  " 

"  An  opinion  which  may — observe,  I  do  not  say  which 


TRUE  WORTH  OF  BARON  PETRESCU     2L5 

does,  but  which  may — arise  from  an  entirely  wrong  con- 
ception of  the  Government's  aims." 

"  Ma  foi,  that  is  so!  "laughed  the  Frenchman,  conscious 
that  the  Ambassador  was  annoyed.  "Of  course,  in  my 
ignorance  I  have  supposed  that  the  Government,  in  search- 
ing for  this  Captain  Ellerey,  really  wanted  to  find  him. 
Foolish  of  me !  It  was  a  mere  blind,  a  strategy,  to  mislead. 
The  Government  is  really  looking  for  some  one  else.  Par- 
don me,  my  lord,  for  taking  up  your  time."  And  De  Froi- 
lette  rose  to  go. 

"You  are  too  hasty,  monsieur;  pray  be  seated  again, 
It  is  Captain  Ellerey  we  want." 

"Ah!  Then  I  am  not  deceived,"  said  De  Froilette, 
sitting  down  again.  "  Tell  me,  why  do  you  so  persistently 
look  for  him  in  the  wrong  place  ?  " 

"  Can  you  show  us  the  right  one,  monsieur  ?  " 

"  Send  your  troops  out  by  the  Southern  Gate  and  bid 
them  march  toward  Breslen,  and  let  sharp  eyes  watch 
the  depths  of  the  forest.  They  may  be  rewarded  by  seeing 
men  gathering  to  a  centre  there.  Find  that  centre  and 
you  shall  find  Captain  Ellerey." 

"  Is  it  your  timber  business  which  teaches  you  so  much  ?  " 
inquired  Lord  Cloverton  with  a  smile,  some  contempt 
looking  out  from  behind  it. 

"You  laugh  at  my  trade,  but  it  may  prove  useful 
even  to  you.  You  watch  the  city  gates,  you  search  every 
street  and  corner  of  Sturatzberg,  and  behold  your  bird 
is  flown  and  is  many  hours  upon  his  journey  before  you 
even  start  in  pursuit." 

"  This  is  most  interesting,  monsieur,  but " 

"  But  you  do  not  believe  it,"  interrupted  De  Froilette. 
"I  have  had  a  message  from  this  Captain  Ellerey.  My 
servant  watched  his  lodgings.  Early  in  the  morning  a 
boy  brought  a  message  to  the  Captain's  servant  Francois, 


216  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

my  man,  entered  the  house  and  got  into  conversation  with 
this  servant,  a  rude  soldier  with  small  understanding,  but 
with  stanch  love  for  his  master.  Put  upon  his  guard  by 
Ellerey,  doubtless,  he  conceives  the  possibility  that  Francois 
may  be  playing  the  spy,  and  falling  upon  him  unawares 
he  gags  and  binds  him  and  locks  him  in  a  cellar.  The 
next  day  Captain  Ellerey,  a  band  of  horsemen  with  him, 
meets  a  woodman  in  the  forest  toward  Breslen,  and  by 
him  sends  me  word  that  my  servant  is  gradually  starving 
behind  his  cellar  door,  of  which  the  woodman  gives  my 
the  key.  I  go  to  the  Captain's  lodging,  and  there  is  Fran- 
cois. Pauvre  gargon,  he  was  hungry,  my  lord;  and,  ma 
foi,  he  will  be  very  terrible  the  next  time  he  and  that  soldier 
meet." 

"  On  the  Breslen  road,  you  say,"  Lord  Cloverton  re- 
marked thoughtfully.  He  had  made  up  his  mind  quickly. 

"  Probably  in  Breslen  itself  by  this  time.  I  understand 
there  is  much  dissatisfaction  there." 

"And  Captain  Ellerey's  object,  monsieur?" 

The  Frenchman  shrugged  his  shoulders  as  though  such 
a  consideration  had  not  occurred  to  him. 

'*  Is  my  opinion  worth  anything,  my  lord  ?  I  am  not 
in  the  councils  of  the  Government.  I  know  little  of  the 
State's  difficulties,  the  plots  which  threaten,  the  particular 
points  of  danger;  but  as  a  private  person  I  should  incline 
to  the  belief  that  it  has  to  do  with  the  Princess  Maritza. 
I  have  already  told  you  that  she  is,  or  was,  in  Sturatzberg. 
You  do  not  believe  it.  That  is  a  pity." 

"lam  beginning  to  believe  it,  monsieur,"  the  Ambassa- 
dor answered,  "  and  I  thank  you  for  coming  here  to-day. 
The  gates  of  Sturatzberg  are  not  so  well  guarded  as  they 
should  be." 

"  That  is  not  my  affair,"  said  De  Froilette  with  a  smile. 
"  I  have  given  my  information  to  you  because  I  know  the 


TRUE  WORTH  OF  BARON  PETRESCU     217 

prestige  of  Lord  Cloverton  and  his  value  to  the  peace  of 
Wallaria." 

With  these  parting  compliments  the  Frenchman  bowed 
himself  out,  feeling  that  he  had  established  his  position 
with  the  Ambassador,  and  put  him  off  the  real  scent  at 
one  and  the  same  time.  The  pleasant  security  of  the 
latter  feeling  was  destined  to  be  quickly  and  rudely  dis- 
pelled. Some  troops  certainly  did  leave  the  city  and  go 
toward  Breslen,  but  many  more  set  out  in  the  opposite 
direction  and  stretched  across  the  country  which  lay 
between  Sturatzberg  and  the  mountains.  Lord  Clover- 
ton,  in  advising  the  King,  was  still  convinced  that  the  most 
imminent  danger  threatened  from  the  brigands  in  the  hills. 

The  despatch  of  the  troops  did  not  surprise  Frina 
Mavrodin.  That  they  should  go  chiefly  toward  the  hills 
seemed  only  natural,  seeing  that  the  brigands  lay  there. 
The  time  since  she  had  returned  to  find  that  her  home 
had  been  searched  had  passed  in  a  whirl  of  conflicting 
emotions.  For  a  few  moments  after  dismissing  Hannah 
she  had  stood  upright,  immovable,  with  a  sense  of  being 
alone  in  the  world.  All  the  interests  and  hopes  of  her 
life  seemed  to  slip  from  her  and  fall  into  a  heap  of  dead 
ashes  at  her  feet.  The  Princess  had  gone.  Doubtless 
she  had  meant  to  go  when  Frina  had  left  her  that  morning, 
and  had  got  her  out  of  the  way  on  purpose.  It  was 
Dumitru  who  had  suggested  her  going  into  the  Bois;  it 
was  Dumitru,  probably,  who  had  persuaded  Maritza 
that  the  time  to  act  had  come.  Not  for  a  moment  did 
Frina  suppose  that  Dumitru  was  cognizant  of  the  fact 
that  her  house  would  be  searched;  she  did  not  believe 
that  they  had  gone  to  escape  discovery.  If  such  had  been 
the  case  she  would  have  been  taken  into  their  confidence. 
No;  the  departure  had  taken  place  for  the  furtherance 
of  plans  in  which  she  had  no  part,  and  which  she  promptly 


218  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

linked  with  the  disappearance  of  Captain  Ellerey.  It 
never  occurred  to  Frina  to  set  watches  to  warn  the  Princess 
should  she  return.  She  would  not  return.  For  good 
or  ill  she  had  begun  the  final  move  toward  her  goal. 
What  were  her  plans  ?  What  chance  had  they  of  success  ? 
Frina  knew  what  secret  societies  nursed  the  cause  of  Prin- 
cess Maritza  in  the  city.  She  knew  to  a  unit  what  support 
could  be  depended  upon,  knew  the  exact  value  of  it,  the 
strength  and  the  weakness  of  it.  The  cause  had  looked 
to  the  hills  for  support,  not  without  reason,  perhaps. 
Were  not  the  men  gathered  there  rebels,  ready  to  strike  a 
blow  at  the  Government  ?  This  had  always  been  Maritza's 
argument,  and  there  had  been  some  signs  that  she  was 
right.  Frina  knew  that  the  material  for  revolt  was  to 
hand,  but  a  resolute  leader  had  been  lacking.  Now  this 
want  had  been  supplied  by  Captain  Ellerey.  It  was 
round  Ellerey  that  the  whirl  of  Frina's  emotions  centred. 
Her  relief  that  the  Princess  had  gone  before  the  house  was 
searched  gave  place  to  the  apprehension  that  she  had  gone  to 
join  Captain  Ellerey.  She  saw  only  a  rival  in  her  late  guest. 
It  washer  love  for  the  man  which  ruled  Frina  Mavrodin's 
actions,  not  her  love  for  the  cause.  It  was  in  this  spirit  that 
she  made  her  complaint  to  the  King,  for  the  time  might 
come  when  her  house  would  prove  the  only  safe  refuge 
for  Ellerey.  It  was  in  this  spirit  that,with  her  maid  in 
attendance,  she  presently  went  to  visit  Baron  Petrescu. 

The  Baron's  wound  had  not  proved  serious,  but  it  had 
kept  him  to  the  house.  The  Countess  found  him  lying 
on  a  sofa,  from  which  he  half  rose  as  she  entered.  She 
hurried  forward  to  prevent  him. 

"  This  is  good  of  you,  Countess,"  he  said.  "  Strangely, 
you  were  in  my  thoughts  when  you  were  announced." 

She  inquired  about  his  wound  and  expressed  her 
regrets  in  a  few  prettily  turned  sentences. 


TRUE  WORTH  OF  BARON  PETRESCU      219 

"It  was  nothing,"  said  the  Baron.  "The  greatest 
hurt  was  to  my  pride." 

"And,  of  course,  you  long  for  an  opportunity  of  wiping 
out  the  defeat  ?  "  said  Frina. 

"  Curiously  enough,  that  idea  has  not  risen  uppermost 
in  my  thoughts,"  Petrescu  answered.  "  I  owe  the  English- 
man an  apology  for  the  attack  which  was  made  upon  him 
directly  he  succeeded  in  wounding  me.  He  is  a  gentle- 
man and  a  gallant  swordsman,  and  I  writhe  under  the 
fear  that  he  believes  that  attack  was  of  my  contriv- 
ing." 

There  was  the  genuine  ring  of  truth  in  the  Baron's 
words.  Frina  Mavrodin  was  not  surprised.  She  believed 
that  she  thoroughly  understood  him,  or  would  not  have 
visited  him. 

"  You  would  befriend  Captain  Ellerey  were  it  in  your 
power  ?  "  she  questioned. 

"Gladly,  for  his  own  sake  and  for  yours.  Pardon 
me,  Countess,  if  my  own  confession  slips  out  with  these 
words.  Those  who  love  recognize  love  quickly." 

"Was  that  in  your  mind  when  you  forced  this  duel 
upon  Captain  Ellerey  ?  "  she  asked. 

"  I  have  tried  to  believe  that  love  for  the  cause  stood 
first,  Countess.  Please  question  me  no  further.  I  take 
refuge  behind  the  punishment  I  have  received.  That  I 
have  not  forfeited  all  your  esteem  is  proved  by  your 
presence  here.  Tell  me  how  I  can  serve  you." 

"  Like  many  others,  Baron,  you  jump  to  a  conclusion 
too  quickly;  but  let  it  pass.  There  is  weightier  business 
in  hand,"  and  then  she  told  him  all  that  was  known  about 
Ellerey,  and  of  the  disappearance  of  Princess  Maritza. 
"Knowing  that  the  Princess  always  had  it  in  her  mind 
to  use  Captain  Ellerey  when  the  time  came,"  she  went 
on,  "I  have  little  doubt  she  has  joined  him  in  whatever 


220  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

mission  he  has  undertaken.  What  art  she  will,  or  can, 
use  to  turn  him  to  her  service,  I  do  not  know." 

"  He  is  not  the  man  to  be  lightly  turned  from  the  cause 
he  has  espoused,"  said  the  Baron  thoughtfully,  "and  that 
cause  is  not  ours." 

"  Love  might  prove  incentive  enough,"  said  Frina. 

Petrescu  turned  to  her  quickly.  The  look  in  her 
eyes  told  him  her  secret  plainly  enough,  but  her  words 
were  sufficient  to  have  a  quickening  influence  on  the  hopes 
which  had  died  within  him. 

"  I  may  be  jumping  to  a  rash  conclusion,"  Frina  went 
on  hastily,  "but  if  I  am  right — indeed,  whatever  art  is 
used,  what  hope  is  there  of  success  ?  " 

"None,  unless  those  in  the  hills  are  with  us,"  replied 
the  Baron  decisively.  "Here  in  Sturatzberg  we  have 
much  enthusiasm,  much  talk,  much  jealousy;  but  I  doubt 
the  fighting  temper  behind  it.  The  Princess  has  moved 
too  soon." 

"  Is  there  any  chance  of  her  being  able  to  persuade 
the  brigands?" 

"  Where  men  are  concerned  I  dare  not  limit  the  power 
of  a  woman,"  he  answered;  "but  since  the  Princess  has 
moved,  we  are  bound  to  be  on  the  watch.  Failure  will 
be  disastrous  to  you  and  me,  Countess." 

"It  will  probably  mean  death  to  Princess  Maritza, 
to  Captain  Ellerey  certainly." 

"I  understand,"  said  the  Baron.  The  hope  that  was 
in  him  died,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  the  woman  ever  gave 
him  full  credit  for  what  his  words  cost  him.  "I  under- 
stand. To-morrow  I  shall  be  out  again.  Command  me 
and  trust  me.  There  shall  at  least  be  one  arm  to  strike 
a  blow  in  the  Englishman's  defence,  and  back  to  back, 
Countess,  he  and  I  would  render  no  mean  account  of 
ourselves." 


TRUE  WORTH  OF  BARON  PETRESCU      221 

She  had  taken  the  hand  he  held  out  in  token  of  her 
thanks  and  the  compact  between  them  when  the  door 
was  suddenly  opened  and  a  man  entered  hurriedly.  He 
stopped  abruptly,  seeing  that  his  master  was  not 
alone. 

"I  have  no  secrets  from  this  lady,"  said  the  Baron. 
"You  may  speak  freely." 

"The  city  is  in  excitement,"  said  the  man.  "Some 
horsemen  have  ridden  in  saying  that  Captain  Ellerey  is 
in  the  hills  surrounded  by  the  brigands.  Instead  of 
being  on  the  King's  service,  as  the  men  supposed,  he 
carried  the  token  of  Princess  Maritza's  house.  The 
brigands  immediately  attacked  the  party." 

"Yes,  and  then?"  exclaimed  Frina. 

"These  men  deserted,  my  lady,  and  left  the  Captain 
and  two  or  three  companions  to  their  fate.  These 
fellows  are  boasting  loudly  of  their  loyalty  to  the 
King." 

"And  the  others,  are  they  dead  or  captured  ?  "  asked 
the  Baron  quickly. 

"  It  seems  they  managed  to  gain  some  ruin  in  the  hills, 
and  are  there  making  a  last  stand." 

The  Baron  dismissed  the  man,  and  then  turned  sharply 
to  the  Countess. 

"You  must  go  quickly  and  learn  all  the  news,"  he  said. 
"My  wound  shall  be  made  to  serve  a  useful  purpose.  It 
shall  be  sufficient  to  keep  me  free  from  visitors  for  some 
days  to  come,  but  it  will  not  prevent  my  leaving  Sturatzberg 
to-night.  I  have  a  few  men  I  can  rely  upon.  We  may 
not  turn  failure  to  success,  but  we  may  effect  the  es- 
cape of  Captain  Ellerey  and  those  who  are  with  him. 
Have  you  a  trusted  messenger  you  can  send  to 
me?"  " 

"Yes." 


222  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"Learn  all  you  can,  then,  and  send  word  to  me  here 
before  nine  to-night.     At  that  hour  you  may  know  that 
I  have  departed,  and  what  a  man  may  do,  rest  assured 
Countess,  I  will." 


CHAPTER   XVIII 

SIX   LOYAL   MEN 

FROM  the  Northern  to  the  Southern,  from  the  Eastern  to 
the  Western  gates  Sturatzberg  was  in  an  uproar.  Excite- 
ment was  in  every  face,  and  the  wildest  rumors  were 
given  credence.  When  the  guards  at  the  gates  were 
doubled  and  companies  of  soldiers  were  met  in  the  streets, 
it  was  firmly  believed  that  the  brigands  were  marching 
in  overwhelming  numbers  upon  the  city.  Comparatively 
few  had  heard  the  news  from  the  returned  horsemen's 
own  lips,  and  from  much  reporting  the  tale  had  grown 
out  of  all  knowledge.  After  the  excitement  caused  by 
the  search  for  Captain  Ellerey  the  city  was  ready  to  believe 
anything. 

As  the  Baron's  servant  had  related,  the  horsemen 
were  loud  in  their  boasting  of  loyalty.  They  had  followed 
Captain  Ellerey  because  they  believed  they  were  on  the 
King's  service,  they  said,  and  never  for  a  moment  had 
they  supposed  otherwise  until  they  had  seen  the  golden 
cross  in  Vasilici's  hands.  This  was  the  story  they  told 
the  King  when  they  were  taken  to  the  palace,  with  much 
more  concerning  their  own  valor  when  the  brigands 
rushed  upon  them.  They  disagreed  somewhat  concern- 
ing one  another's  valour,  each  one  striving  to  impress  the 
King  in  his  own  favor;  but  they  were  of  one  voice  re- 
garding Ellerey's  treachery  and  the  deceit  which  had  been 
practised  upon  them. 


224  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"What  message  or  token  could  you  suppose  I  was 
sending  to  the  brigands  ?  "  asked  the  King. 

"It  was  not  for  us  to  inquire,  your  Majesty,"  they 
answered.  "We  knew  Captain  Ellerey,  and  we  obeyed 
him." 

In  the  main  their  story  was  true.  If  Ellerey  had 
mentioned  the  Queen  as  their  employer  they  had  con- 
sidered the  King  and  Queen  as  one,  and  no  question  was 
put  to  them  to  make  them  differentiate  between  them. 

They  were  dismissed,  and  the  King  was  for  some 
hours  closeted  with  one  or  two  of  his  prominent  Ministers. 
They  were  men  the  King  trusted,  but  it  was  doubtful  if 
their  opinion  ever  weighed  with  him  to  the  same  extent 
that  Lord  Cloverton's  did.  The  news  astonished  the 
Ambassador,  but  was  reassuring.  Whatever  the  cause, 
the  Queen's  plans  at  any  rate  had  miscarried,  and  the 
brigands  were  evidently  not  to  be  tempted  into  the  service 
of  Princess  Maritza.  For  the  moment  there  was  no  danger 
to  be  apprehended  from  them. 

"I  think  we  may  leave  this  turbulent  Captain  and 
his  companions  to  Vasilici's  tender  mercies,  my  lord," 
said  the  King.  "All  we  have  to  guard  against  is  a  riot, 
among  the  dissatisfied  in  Sturatzberg." 

Perhaps  the  Ambassador  felt  sorry  for  Ellerey,  but 
there  was  nothing  he  could  do. 

"Has  your  Majesty  ever  supposed  that  Princess 
Maritza  is,  or  has  been  lately,  in  Sturatzberg  ?  "  he  asked 
after  a  pause. 

"It  is  impossible.  Your  Government  has  sent  her 
visiting  your  colonies,  a  delicate  attention,  which,  no  doubt, 
she  appreciates." 

"  Just  so,  and  yet  I  had  a  strange  story  brought  to  my 
notice.  I  heard  that  she  had  managed  to  escape  the 
delicate  attention  of  my  Government  and  had  returned 


SIX  LOYAL  MEN  225 

to  Wallaria.  Needless  to  say,  I  did  not  believe  the  story, 
but  the  deliverance  of  her  token  certainly  lends  credence 
to  it." 

"She  might  send  her  token,"  said  the  King;  "she 
would  not  venture  herself  in  the  country,  much  less  in 
Sturatzberg." 

"  That  was  my  opinion,"  answered  Cloverton. 

"  Do  you  mean  that  it  is  not  your  opinion  now  ?  " 

"  I  am  in  a  transitional  stage,  your  Majesty,  and  have 
not  yet  decided." 

So  there  were  troops  of  soldiers  in  the  streets  lest  rioters 
should  gather  together  and  do  damage.  No  one  imagined 
there  was  enough  power  behind  them  to  really  menace 
the  city.  A  few  men  talked  together  excitedly  in  side 
streets,  but  these  dispersed  quietly  after  a  little  while 
without  any  interference  from  the  soldiers. 

The  Countess  Mavrodin  drove  in  the  Bois  as  usual. 
She  held  a  little  court,  her  carriage  drawn  up  to  the  side- 
walk, and  she  listened  to  and  laughed  at  all  the  news. 
What  could  it  all  matter  to  her  so  long  as  she  could  laugh 
and  chatter  and  be  happy  ? 

"My  horses  will  not  stand  still  if  you  talk  politics," 
she  said  to  one  man.  "They  know  their  mistress  is  of 
the  nature  of  a  butterfly."  The  man  was  one  who  was 
likely  to  be  well  informed,  and  she  did  not  say  it  until  he 
had  told  her  all  he  knew. 

This  butterfly  nature  of  hers  caused  her  to  drive  about 
a  great  deal  that  day.  She  had  shopping  to  do  in  the 
Konigplatz,  in  the  square  out  of  which  the  Altstrasse 
ran.  and  in  the  Bergenstrasse  nearly  as  far  down  as  the 
Southern  Gate.  More  than  once  she  caught  sight  of  a 
group  of  excited  men  at  a  street  corner,  and  once  or  twice 
she  noticed  that  a  man  would  walk  leisurely  toward  them, 
pause  a  moment,  and  then  pass  on.  Whenever  this  hap- 
15 


226  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

pened  the  little  crowd  dispersed  immediately  as  though 
some  urgent  business  had  suddenly  occurred  to  each  mem- 
ber of  it.  It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  when  the  Countess 
returned  home,  and  before  she  retired  to  her  private 
rooms  she  gave  instructions  for  certain  servants,  whom 
she  mentioned  by  name,  to  be  in  readiness,  as  she  would 
require  them  presently.  She  had  a  small  reception  that 
evening  and  was  the  most  brilliant,  as  she  was  the  most 
frivolous,  among  her  brilliant  and  frivolous  guests. 
Yet  before  nine  o'clock  Baron  Petrescu  had  received 
some  closely  written  sheets  in  her  handwriting,  and 
knew  much  of  what  had  happened  in  Sturatzberg  that 
day. 

But  not  all ;  that  was,  of  course,  impossible.  In  dark 
corners  of  the  city  through  which  it  was  dangerous  to 
travel  after  nightfall,  there  were  dismal  houses,  behind 
the  fast-closed  doors  of  which  ready  orators  held  the 
attention  of  eager  listeners.  The  tune  was  near.  The 
emancipation  from  their  slavery  was  at  hand.  What 
they  had  heard  in  the  city  to-day  was  proof  of  it.  Be 
ready!  It  was  the  same  story  wherever  men  were  gathered 
together.  And  in  the  constant  coming  and  going  at  the 
palace,  the  keenest  eyes  might  easily  have  failed  to  notice 
some  who  entered  and  left;  and  within  there  were  many 
passages  known  only  to  the  initiated.  One  man  passed 
in  unnoticed,  and  in  a  side  room  was  met  by  another  who, 
without  a  word,  beckoned  him  to  follow. 

"  No  further  news  ?  "  asked  the  first. 

"  None,"  was  the  answer. 

Along  the  same  passage  which  Ellerey  had  once  trav- 
ersed was  De  Froilette  taken,  and  ushered  into  the  Queen's 
presence.  He  bowed  low,  but  she  had  no  thought  of  ceje- 
mony  just  now. 

"  Can  you  read  this  riddle,  monsieur  ?  "she  asked. 


SIX   LOYAL  MEN  227 

"All  kinds  of  solutions  come  to  me,  madam,  but  none 
that  seem  to  entirely  fit  the  case." 

"One  thing  only  stands  clear,"  said  the  Queen:  "this 
Captain  Ellerey  is  a  traitor.  You  were  a  fool,  monsieur, 
to  bring  him  to  my  notice." 

"  I  may  have  been  mistaken." 

"  May  ?  Indeed  you  have,"  she  answered.  "  Heaven 
help  him  if  he  returns  to  Sturatzberg;  he  will  sorely  need 
it." 

"  I  say  I  may  have  been  mistaken,  your  Majesty,  and 
that  is  what  I  mean,"  said  De  Froilette  calmly.  "Fran- 
cois has  seen  these  men  who  have  come  back,  and  I  am 
convinced  that  Captain  Ellerey  was  as  astonished  to  see 
the  token  as  any  one." 

"How  could  he  be?" 

"Are  you  certain  of  the  man  who  delivered  it  to  him  ?" 

"As  I  am  of  myself.  Do  you  still  trust  this  English- 
man ?  " 

"If  he  wished  to  deceive  us  he  could  have  done  so 
in  a  much  more  effectual  way,"  said  De  Froilette,  "and 
served  his  own  ends  better.  Men  like  Captain  Ellerey 
do  not  join  themselves  to  such  a  cause  as  ours  for  the  love 
of  it,  but  in  their  own  interests.  I  have  put  down  his 
somewhat  off-hand  treatment  of  me  to  his  feeling  of 
security  in  being  your  Majesty's  trusted  messenger." 

"So  Monsieur  De  Froilette,  ever  so  suspicious,  has 
lived  to  become  weakly  confiding." 

"  I  have  another  reason  to  urge,"  the  Frenchman  went 
on.  "  I  believe  Princess  Maritza  has  been  in  Sturatzberg." 

"  Have  you  seen  her  ?" 

"No,  but  Francois  says  he  did.  He  may  have  been 
mistaken,  but  the  delivery  of  her  token  goes  to  confirm 
Francois.  Now,  your  Majesty,  one  of  Ellerey's  com- 
panions may  be  a  partisan  of  the  Princess,  and  may  have 


228  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

changed  the  token.  The  fact  that  I  have  led  the  Princess, 
while  she  has  been  in  England,  to  believe  that  I  have 
worked  in  her  cause,  might  induce  her  to  think  that  the 
golden  cross  would  be  acceptable  to  the  brigands,  that 
they  would  welcome  the  message  it  held." 

"Had  she  trusted  you  in  any  degree,  monsieur,  she 
would  have  made  her  presence  known  to  you." 

"  She  may  have  come  to  watch  me,  and  even  then  she 
could  hardly  discover  my  real  object.  I  have  worked  in 
your  service  too  secretly.  Even  Lord  Cloverton  trusts 
me." 

"  I  would  Lord  Cloverton  were  removed  from  Wallaria 
either  by  his  Government  or  by " 

"Ah,  madam,  death  seldom  strikes  where  we  would 
have  it.  If  heaven  were  pleased  to  remove  him  we  should 
have  one  obstacle  the  less  in  our  way;  but  many  would 
still  remain.  Death  would  have  to  be  busy  to  make  our 
enterprise  sure." 

"Lord  Cloverton  stands  by  most  of  those  obstacles 
to  give  them  strength,"  answered  the  Queen,  her  hands 
tightening  a  little.  "The  King  would  be  pliant  in  my 
hands  were  this  man  not  beside  him  to  stiffen  him.  Is 
there  any  other  man  in  the  world  who  would  have  dared 
to  put  me  to  the  test  he  did  ?  I  hate  him." 

"It  is  fortunate  he  has  done  so;  he  will  not  dare  to 
repeat  the  offence,"  said  De  Froilette. 

"  I  am  not  sure  of  that." 

"  If  he  does,  the  bracelet  is  mislaid,"  said  De  Froilette. 
"The  mere  fact  that  it  has  not  been  delivered  will  prove 
that  you  never  sent  it.  For  the  moment  we  are  powerless 
to  act,  but  another  token  will  be  sent  presently,  another 
messenger  found  to  take  it.  Have  we  not  the  assurance 
of  Russia  that  the  moment  the  standard  of  revolt  is  raised 
she  will  find  plausible  excuse  to  cross  the  frontier?  Has 


SIX  LOYAL   MEN  229 

not  your  Majesty  rather  hoped  to  succeed  without  the 
help  of  Russia?" 

"  The  possibility  may  have  occurred  to  me,"  answered 
the  Queen. 

"  These  rebels  who  would  help  you  to  occupy  the  throne 
of  Wallaria  alone  would  be  difficult  to  rule  without  an 
army  at  your  call  to  cow  them  into  submission." 

"  We  are  looking  to  the  future;  it  is  the  present  which 
concerns  us,  monsieur." 

"We  can  only  wait  and  watch  events,"  said  De  Froi- 
lette.  "  These  deserters  declare  that  they  rode  out  with 
Captain  Ellerey  in  the  belief  that  they  were  upon  the  King's 
service.  Your  Majesty  is  not  mentioned  by  them.  We 
are  safe  so  far." 

"Some  one,  monsieur,  holds  my  token;  until  that  is 
in  my  possession  again  there  is  no  safety." 

"It  is  mislaid,"  said  the  Frenchman;  "if  that  will  not 
suffice,  it  has  been  stolen;  if  that  is  not  enough,  pick  out 
some  servant  you  can  spare  and  accuse  him  of  the  theft. 
The  sufferings  of  one  man  must  not  count  beside  the  safety 
of  a  cause  involving  many  lives." 

"You  seem  to  forget  that  Captain  Ellerey  knows  the 
truth,"  said  the  Queen. 

"You  were  alone  when  you  told  him  of  his  mission. 
You  have  told  the  King  that  your  conversation  related  to 
the  Countess  Mavrodin — hold  to  that  story.  Is  the  word 
of  a  traitor,  struggling  to  shield  himself,  to  be  taken 
against  yours  ?  " 

"  I  act  more  readily  than  I  lie,  monsieur." 

"Pardon,  madam,  a  lie  is  a  vulgar  cowardice;  we 
are  dealing  with  secrets  of  the  State." 

"  I  am  woman  enough  to  find  small  difference  between 
them." 

"And  Queen  enough  to  forget  the  woman  when  the 


£30  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

sovereign  must  use  diplomacy,"  answered  De  Froilette. 
"Besides,  we  rush  far  out  to  meet  trouble.  What  can 
three  or  four  men  accomplish  against  an  army  of  moun- 
taineers fighting  in  their  own  hills  ?  By  this  time  Cap- 
tain Ellerey  lies  food  for  the  preying  vultures.  We  are 
quite  safe,  your  Majesty." 

De  Froilette  left  the  palace  unnoticed  as  he  had  come, 
and  returned  quickly  to  the  Altstrasse.  Fra^ois  hast- 
ened to  attend  him. 

"There  is  nothing  to  report,  monsieur,"  he  said,  in 
answer  to  his  master's  look  of  inquiry.  "The  city  is 
quieting  down.  Is  monsieur  in  any  danger  ?  " 

"Perhaps,  Fra^ois,  but  it  does  not  trouble  me.  I 
have  been  in  danger  before.  Many  channels  of  infor- 
mation are  open  to  a  timber  merchant,  and  those  in 
authority  find  me  useful." 

"  We  can  wait,  monsieur,  but  those  who  are  expecting 
us  to  speak  the  word,  will  they  wait  ?  " 

"  I  think  so,  Fra^ois ;  still,  you  may  have  everything 
ready  for  a  hasty  departure.  And  if  by  any  chance  cir- 
cumstances should  necessitate  our  leaving  separately,  you 
must  look  for  me  in  London  at  the  old  address." 

Such  instructions  caused  the  servant  no  surprise. 
His  master  had  usually  managed  to  steer  successfully 
through  the  troubled  waters  he  encountered,  but  on 
many  occasions  such  preparations  for  rapid  flight  had 
been  made. 

"  Did  you  call  to  inquire  after  Baron  Petrescu,  Fran- 
9ois?" 

"Yes,  monsieur;  his  wound  is  giving  him  increased 
trouble." 

"I  rejoice  to  hear  it.  We  can  well  dispense  with  his 
crowing  in  Sturatzberg  just  now.  A  walk  through  the  citj 
in  an  hour  or  so,  Fra^ois,  might  be  good  for  your  health." 


SIX  LOYAL   MEN  231 

The  servant  smiled,  falling  in  with  his  master's 
humor,  and  went  out.  The  streets  were  quiet  when  he 
traversed  them  an  hour  or  two  later.  A  few  soldiers 
were  in  the  Konigplatz  and  at  the  top  of  the  Bergen- 
strasse,  but,  except  where  some  entertainment  was  going 
forward,  and  carriages  and  servants  were  congregated 
without,  the  city  was  unusually  lifeless.  Perhaps  the 
presence  of  the  soldiers  drove  law-abiding  citizens  home 
early  lest  they  might  come  under  suspicion,  and  the  law- 
less were  evidently  not  inclined  to  run  risks.  Fra^ois 
stood  for  a  few  moments  outside  the  Countess  Mavro- 
din's  watching  the  arrivals,  among  whom  he  recognized 
many  notabilities,  including  the  British  Ambassador; 
and  then  he  went  for  some  distance  down  the  Bergen- 
strasse  before  returning  home.  Had  he  traversed  this 
street  farther  he  would  probably  have  been  convinced 
that  the  exciting  news  of  the  day  was  already  forgotten, 
for  he  would  hardly  have  heard  the  laughter  and  songs 
which  came  from  the  Toison  d'Or  unless  he  had  actually 
gone  up  the  narrow  court  in  which  it  stood. 

The  door  was  shut,  but  the  light  shone  dully  through 
the  red  blinds  which  were  drawn  across  the  windows. 
They  were  like  two  huge  eyes  bleared  with  strong  drink, 
and  as  a  late  comer  pushed  open  the  door  at  intervals 
and  disappeared  within,  a  watcher  might  have  had  the 
sensation  of  seeing  an  ogre  swallowing  his  victim.  An- 
other thing  might  have  struck  him.  There  were  many 
late  arrivals,  and  they  all  came  singly,  entering  swiftly 
and  letting  the  door  swing  quickly  to  behind  them.  The 
tavern  was,  surely,  fast  becoming  overcrowded,  for  no 
one  came  out. 

But  there  was  much  room  in  the  Toison  d'Or,  and 
the  chamber  in  which  Ellerey  had  waited  for  the  token 
was  thrown  open  to-night.  It  was  crowded  with  men 


232  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

eager  to  listen  to  the  horsemen  who  had  ridden  into 
Sturatzberg  that  day.  They  were  the  centre  of  attrac- 
tion, and  had  long  ago  become  talkative  and  more  than 
ordinarily  boastful.  They  shouted  answers  to  every 
question,  and  were  regaled  with  tankard  after  tankard 
of  liquor.  They  drank  deep  healths  to  the  King,  and 
swore  to  their  unswerving  loyalty  with  many  a  strange 
oath.  They  sang  snatches  of  ribald  songs  at  the  bidding 
of  any  man  who  had  the  wherewithal  to  pay  for  wine — 
snatches  only,  which  became  less  coherent  as  the  evening 
advanced.  They  cursed  the  traitor  Ellerey,  and  made 
jests  upon  Maritza,  "  who  was  called  '  Princess '  by  some 
fools  and  vagabonds." 

"Down  with  her,  and  all  who  have  a  word  for  her!" 
cried  one  of  them,  trying  to  rise  to  give  vehemence  to  his 
words,  but  falling  back  helpless  into  his  seat. 

"Curse  her  again,  comrade,"  said  a  thin,  morose- 
looking  man  in  his  ear.  "  Don't  go  to  sleep  yet.  Curse 
her  again.  We  like  to  know  the  true  ring  of  your 
minds." 

It  was  beyond  the  soldier's  power  to  reply,  but  the 
other  soldiers  did  it  for  him,  vying  with  one  another  in 
their  language. 

"That's  right,"  said  the  thin  man.  "You  are  all 
agreed.  She  is  a  pest  in  the  land,  this  Princess,  an  evil 
to  be  trodden  down,  one  to  be  killed  if  opportunity  occurs, 
and  the  fact  of  her  being  a  woman  shall  win  her  no  mercy. 
You  are  all  agreed  on  that  ?  " 

"No  mercy!"  shouted  one  soldier. 

"  Less  because  she's  a  woman,"  growled  another. 

"  Down  with  her,"  said  a  third  in  a  drunken  whisper. 

"One  more  drink  round,  landlord,"  said  the  morose 
man.  "We'll  drink  it  standing.  Those  who  cannot 
-stand,  let  their  comrades  hold  them  up.  This  is  a  loyal 


SIX   LOYAL  MEN  233 

and  sacred  toast  for  the  last.  Not  a  man  shall  sit  down 
to  it.  Tankards  round,  landlord ! " 

The  soldiers  struggled  to  their  feet  obediently,  but 
each  of  them  had  to  be  held  up  on  either  side,  and  they 
laughed  at  their  drunken  inability.  Seizing  a  tankard, 
the  thin  man  sprang  upon  a  chair. 

"See  that  none  fail  to  honor  my  toast!"  he  cried. 
"  Let  it  tell  its  tale  to  Sturatzberg  before  the  dawn.  Here's 
to  our  Sovereign  Lady,  Princess  Maritza!" 

Too  drunk  to  understand  the  purport  of  the  words, 
the  soldiers  raised  their  tankards  to  drink,  and  then  let 
them  fall  to  the  ground  with  a  clatter,  the  untasted  liquor 
splashing  upon  the  floor.  Each  man  jerked  forward 
where  he  stood,  and,  when  those  who  held  him  let  him  go, 
fell  down  with  a  thud.  A  groan  or  two,  a  convulsive 
movement,  and  then  they  lay  still,  while  something  mixed 
with  the  spilt  liquor  and  dyed  it  to  a  darker  hue.  The 
six  men  who  had  stood  immediately  behind  them  wiped 
their  keen  long  knives  and  sheathed  them  again  in  silence. 

"  Go  quickly ! "  shouted  the  man,  still  standing  on 
the  chair.  "See  that  the  Bergenstrasse  is  clear.  They 
shall  rest  there  to-night,  and  Sturatzberg  may  find  them 
there  presently  and  read  the  lesson  as  it  will." 

In  the  early  hours  of  the  morning,  when  the  guests 
were  leaving  the  Countess  Mavrodin's  a  man  rushed  past 
them  into  the  hall. 

"  Is  Lord  Cloverton  still  here  ?  " 

The  Ambassador  came  forward  at  once. 

"What  is  it?" 

"The  men  who  returned  to-day — the  soldiers." 

"What  of  them?" 

"They  have  just  been  found  lying  side  by  side  in 
the  Bergenstrasse,  dead — murdered ! " 


CHAPTER  XIX 

IN   DESPERATE   STRAITS 

DESMOND  ELLEREY  stood  with  his  sword  lowered  and 
his  head  bowed.  As  he  spoke  her  name  a  flush  came 
into  his  cheeks.  His  anger  at  Grigosie's  deceit  had  been 
great,  stern,  cold,  and  judicial — only  in  such  a  spirit 
could  he  take  vengeance  on  the  lad;  now  it  was  shame 
which  flamed  into  his  cheeks.  He  had  drawn  his  sword 
against  a  woman — in  another  moment  the  blade  would 
have  been  dyed  in  her  blood — the  very  thought  of  it  was 
horrible. 

In  Maritza's  face  there  was  no  look  of  triumph.  If 
for  a  moment  it  had  lightened  her  eyes,  if  the  woman's 
power  over  the  man  defiantly  proclaimed  itself  as  she 
tore  open  her  shirt  to  reveal  the  truth,  it  was  gone  more 
quickly,  more  completely,  perhaps,  than  Ellerey's  anger. 

The  Princess  was  the  first  to  break  the  silence. 

*'  You  will  not  strike  ? "  she  said,  closing  the  shirt 
again  with  hasty  fingers.  "Regrets  are  useless.  I  had 
hoped  to  succeed.  I  will  tell  you  why  when  you  choose 
to  listen  to  me.  To-morrow  you  can  deliver  me  to  the 
brigands;  until  then  I  am  Grigosie  again." 

As  she  picked  up  her  cap  and  drew  it  over  her  curls 
Ellerey  looked  up.  It  was  a  relief  to  see  the  lad  before 
him  as  he  had  always  known  him. 

"And  Grigosie  talks  folly,"  he  said.  "I  would  far 
sooner  take  his  life  myself  than  deliver  him  to  the  tender 
mercies  of  the  brigands." 


IN  DESPERATE  STRAITS  235 

A  cry  from  Stefan,  which  was  half  an  oath,  startled 
them,  and  in  an  instant  Ellerey  had  sprung  to  the  soldier's 
side.  Anton  at  the  same  moment  seized  his  knife,  and 
all  three  men  were  in  the  doorway  slashing  and  thrusting 
furiously  at  those  without.  For  a  moment  there  were 
only  two  or  three,  who  had  approached  silently,  but 
their  shouts  upon  being  discovered  brought  a  crowd  rush- 
ing to  their  assistance. 

When  Anton  had  deserted  his  post  to  come  to  Grig- 
osie's  help,  the  temptation  to  secure  an  easy  victory 
had  been  too  great  for  those  who  watched  the  plateau. 
Vasilici  may  have  given  no  orders  that  the  truce  should 
be  thus  flagrantly  broken,  but  those  who  had  seized  the 
opportunity  knew  well  enough  that  success  would  win 
easy  forgiveness. 

As  it  had  been  at  the  gate  guarding  the  zig-zag  path, 
those  in  front,  wounded  or  dying,  were  thrown  back 
upon  their  companions,  impeding  the  rush  which  must 
have  effected  an  entrance.  Perhaps  there  was  still  a 
desire  among  most  of  them  to  let  any  comrade  who 
would  force  himself  into  the  forefront  of  the  attack. 
The  prowess  of  the  defenders  had  already  taught  them  a 
salutary  lesson. 

"Quick,  Stefan;  see  that  the  door  will  close  and 
fasten,"  whispered  Ellerey.  "When  it  is  ready,  shout; 
give  us  a  moment  to  thrust  back  the  foremost  of  them, 
and  a  moment  to  get  in,  and  then  we'll  shut  them  out, 
if  we  can." 

Stefan  made  a  sharp  cut  at  the  first  man  within  reach 
of  him,  and  then  slipped  back  into  the  tower.  He  shouted 
almost  immediately,  for  Grigosie  was  already  at  the 
door,  and  had  seen  that  it  was  in  working  order.  At 
the  shout  Ellerey  and  Anton  made  a  dash  out  as  if  in  a 
last  attempt  for  freedom.  A  slash  to  right  and  left,  a 


236  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

cringing  back  of  those  in  front  gave  them  the  opportunity 
and  the  time  they  wanted.  In  another  instant  they  were 
within  the  tower,  the  door  was  shut,  and  the  great  bolts 
in  it  shot  home. 

"It's  not  likely  we'll  be  using  this  way  out  for  a 
while,"  said  Ellerey,  "so  we'll  pile  everything  against 
it  we  can  to  strengthen  it." 

They  worked  with  a  will,  and  while  the  brigands 
beat  at  the  door  without,  they  barricaded  it  within; 
and  having  heaped  up  against  it  everything  they  could 
lay  their  hands  on,  they  drove  in  some  wooden  stakes 
at  an  angle  to  hold  the  obstruction  in  its  place  and  resist 
the  pressure. 

"  That  will  stop  them  for  a  little  while, "  said  Ellerey. 

No  one  answered  him.  As  soon  as  the  work  was 
accomplished  Grigosie  turned  away,  and  Stefan,  wiping 
the  sweat  from  his  brow  with  the  back  of  his  hand,  looked 
with  unutterable  fierceness  at  Anton. 

"You — you "  And  then  he  burst  out  with  a 

mighty  oath.  "There's  no  word  in  devil's  or  man's 
vocabulary  to  call  you  by.  You're  to  thank  for  this. 
Weren't  you  ordered  to  keep  guard  by  the  barrier 
yonder?" 

"Let  him  be,  Stefan,"  said  Ellerey,  laying  his  hand 
on  the  soldier's  arm.  "  He  did  rightly  in  leaving  it.  He 
came  to  protect  his  mistress." 

Stefan  glanced  at  Grigosie,  whose  back  was  toward 
him,  and  muttered  something  deeply;  oaths  they  may 
have  been,  but  the  words  seemed  to  lose  themselves  in 
his  beard.  Anton  said  not  a  word.  He  looked  at  Ellerey, 
and  it  was  a  look  of  which  it  was  difficult  to  read  the 
meaning.  It  was  one  of  wonder  rather  than  of  grati- 
tude. Perhaps  he  was  trying  to  understand  the  real 
character  of  this  strange  Englishman. 


IN  DESPERATE  STRAITS  237 

The  brigands  still  continued  to  hammer  at  the  door, 
but  it  showed  no  sign  of  giving. 

"  It  will  hold  for  a  time,"  said  Ellerey,  "  but  we  must 
see  what  can  be  done  to  interrupt  their  attentions  as 
much  as  possible.  A  shot  or  two  from  the  chamber 
above  might  help  them  to  become  quieter.  Come, 
Stefan,  and  let  us  see  what  we  can  do." 

In  the  chamber  above  there  were  narrow  slits  in  the 
walls,  and  the  top  of  the  zig-zag  was  commanded  from 
this  vantage  place,  but  those  immediately  below  were  out 
of  danger.  Some  men  were  standing  by  the  broken- 
down  barrier,  and  Stefan  wanted  to  fire  at  them,  but 
Ellerey  stopped  him.  Their  ammunition  was  too  valu- 
able to  throw  away.  A  cartridge  presently  might  be 
worth  much  more  to  them  than  one  man's  life  just  now. 

"Those  at  the  door  below  are  the  danger,"  said 
Ellerey. 

"  There's  a  good  deal  of  loose  stonework  on  the  roof,'* 
said  Stefan.  "A  piece  of  that  heaved  over  at  intervals 
might  give  them  something  to  think  about  besides  ham- 
mering at  that  door." 

"They  shall  have  a  lesson  at  once,"  said  Ellerey, 
climbing  carefully  up  the  broken  stairway  which  led  to 
the  roof.  It  has  been  said  that  a  turret  had  fallen  in, 
breaking  part  of  the  stairs  away,  but  the  roof  could 
easily  be  reached.  There  were  many  fragments,  some 
large,  some  small,  lying  there,  and  one  piece  of  consider- 
able size  Ellerey  and  Stefan  managed  to  get  on  to  the 
wall  of  the  parapet  immediately  over  the  door.  The 
manoeuvre  was  apparently  unnoticed,  for  there  came  no 
warning  shout  to  those  below. 

"Over  with  it,"  said  Ellerey. 

It  did  its  work  effectually.  There  were  groans  and 
execrations,  and  several  bullets  struck  harmlessly  about 


238  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

the  stonework  from  whence  this  message  had  been  hurled, 
but  the  hammering  at  the  door  ceased,  and  the  besiegers 
retired  to  a  safe  distance. 

"We  must  keep  watch  from  here,  Captain,"  said 
Stefan.  "  Help  me  to  mount  another  piece  upon  the  wall. 
It  can  rest  there  until  they  get  courageous  again  and  ask 
for  it  to  be  thrown  upon  them." 

Ellerey  did  so,  and,  leaving  Stefan  there  for  the  present, 
returned  to  the  basement  of  the  tower. 

Anton  was  standing  in  exactly  the  same  place  as 
when  Ellerey  had  mounted  the  steps,  but  the  expression 
on  his  face  had  changed.  It  was  quite  evident  that  in 
the  interval  some  words  had  passed  between  him  and 
Grigosie,  and  that,  whatever  the  subject  of  the  conversa- 
tion, Anton  disapproved  of  it.  Grigosie  was  leaning 
against  the  wall  counting  the  cartridges  he  still  had  in 
his  possession. 

"We  have  stopped  their  hammering  for  a  while," 
Ellerey  said.  "  While  the  loose  stones  on  the  roof  last, 
we  have  another  weapon  of  defence." 

"  Do  I  relieve  Stefan  ?  "  asked  Grigosie. 

"No;  Anton.  Rest  while  you  can.  There  will  be 
little  enough  sleep  for  any  of  us." 

"And  little  enough  food,  too,"  said  Grigosie,  when 
Anton  had  cast  himself  down  in  a  corner. 

"We  are  truly  in  a  sad  case,  Princess." 

"Grigosie,  please;  let  me  remain  Grigosie.  It  will 
be  easier  for  both  of  us." 

She  crossed  over  to  the  steps  which  led  to  the  upper 
chamber  and  sat  down. 

"  As  you  say,  our  position  is  hopeless,"  Grigosie  went 
on.  "In  Sturatzberg  there  are  some  who  would  strike 
a  blow  for  Maritza,  but  no  one  knows  of  Grigosie.  It 
is  a  poor  end  to  make,  Captain.  I  have  had  my  moments 


IN  DESPERATE  STRAITS  239 

of  despair,  but  whenever  I  have  thought  of  failure,  I 
have  never  pictured  such  a  miserable  failure  as  this.  I 
was  prepared  to  face  death  and  disaster,  but  if  death 
came,  I  meant  that  it  should  be  glorious,  that  it  should 
come  in  a  fashion  to  set  Europe  ringing  with  the  news. 
It  was  a  magnificent  setting  I  had  arranged  for  myself — 
the  going  down  of  a  sun  in  purple  and  red  and  gold." 

"Even  as  it  is  we  make  a  mountain  legend  of  it," 
said  Ellerey,  with  a  short  laugh;  "and  legend  lives  long, 
longer  than  fame,  often.  You  have  a  fair  chance  of  being 
remembered  by  the  generations  to  come." 

"I  have  brought  you  to  this,  so  it  is  your  privilege 
to  laugh  at  me,"  she  said. 

"At  least,  we  can  be  honest  with  each  other  now," 
said  Ellerey.  "At  the  best  we  can  only  keep  these 
wolves  at  bay  for  a  few  hours.  Though  these  old  walls 
stand,  we  have  little  food,  little  ammunition.  Death  has 
no  very  great  terrors  for  me.  I  seem  to  have  lived  my 
life  for  the  express  purpose  of  showing  how  a  man  can 
fail,  and,  having  been  unjustly  robbed  of  my  honor,  you 
succeed  in  robbing  me  of  my  self-respect  by  making  me 
lift  my  hand  against  you — a  woman." 

"  I  am  sorry.     Question  me  as  you  will." 

"How  could  you  hope  for  anything  else  but  failure 
from  such  a  mad  enterprise  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  Captain  Ellerey,  do  you  remember  what  I  said  when 
we  met  on  the  downs  that  day?" 

"Every  word." 

"  That  I  spoke  truly  you  now  know.  You  know  how 
my  claim  stands,  and  whether  you  love  my  cause  or 
not,  you  must  recognize  the  justice  of  it.  While  I  was 
in  England,  kept  there  to  be  out  of  the  way,  my  friends 
were  working  in  Sturatzberg.  My  adherents,  my  well- 
wishers,  are  in  every  grade  of  society  there,  but  there 


£40  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

was  one  man  on  whom  I  thoroughly  depended.  He  was 
in  constant  communication  with  me,  and  one  of  his 
great  schemes,  a  plan  which  he  swore  was  ripening  every 
day,  was  getting  the  brigands  to  espouse  my  cause.  To 
these  hills  have  flocked  all  the  malcontents  of  the  country. 
They  are  not  robbers;  they  are  political  outcasts  many 
of  them,  and  should  welcome  one  who  is  by  right  their 
ruler.  So  said  this  man,  so  he  swore  they  were  ready 
to  do,  but  constantly  advised  a  little  further  delay.  You 
cannot  understand  what  this  waiting  day  after  day,  month 
after  month,  meant  to  me.  Impatient  in  heart,  I  was 
yet  patient  in  action.  I  might  still  be  quietly  waiting 
but  for  two  things.  First  I  learnt  that  to  be  put  further 
out  of  the  way  I  was  to  visit  England's  colonies,  a  pleas- 
ure trip  graciously  arranged  for  me  by  your  Government ; 
secondly,  I  was  informed  that  the  man  I  trusted  was 
scheming  for  his  own  ends  more  than  for  mine.  It  was 
the  parting  of  the  ways,  Captain  Ellerey,  and  I  had  to 
choose.  Another  stepped  on  board  the  vessel  placed 
at  my  disposal  in  my  stead,  and  while  she  was  taken  to  the 
colonies  I  came  secretly  to  Sturatzberg.  There  I  have 
since  lived,  watching  and  waiting,  in  the  house  of  the 
woman  who  devised  and  helped  me  to  carry  out  this  plan." 

"  A  woman ! "  Ellerey  exclaimed. 

"  Countess  Mavrodin,  whose  power  is  only  the  greater 
because  no  one  has  any  idea  of  its  existence..  My  first 
work  was  to  watch  the  man  whom  I  believed  had  been 
working  for  me.  I  quickly  found  that  my  interests  were 
not  first  in  his  consideration,  but  I  learned  also  that  he 
feared  his  own  schemes  would  fail  should  some  unlucky 
chance  bring  me  to  Sturatzberg.  In  this  fear  I  saw  my 
hope.  Was  this  unnatural  ?  " 

"  Is  this  man  De  Froilette  ?  "  asked  Ellerey. 

"He  is  the  man.     Unconscious  of  my  presence  in  the 


IN  DESPERATE  STRAITS  ,     241 

city  he  continued  to  work  against  me.  Queen  Elena 
had  now  become  his  dupe.  The  men  in  the  hills  would 
help  to  set  her  alone  upon  the  throne  in  Wallaria,  and 
the  King  once  got  rid  of  and  the  country  in  insurrection, 
De  FroHette  would  have  sold  it  to  Russia — more,  would 
have  aspired  to  the  hand  of  the  Queen.  Perhaps  he 
loves  her,  perhaps  he  only  loves  the  power  he  would 
gain.  His  conspiracy  was  well  laid,  and  he  only  wanted 
a  man  to  lead,  to  bear  the  brunt  of  the  fight,  to  pay  the 
penalty  should  failure  come,  while  he  remained  an  un- 
interested citizen  ready  to  be  the  first  to  cry  out  against 
the  rebellion  if  necessary.  His  choice  fell  upon  Desmond 
Ellerey." 

Ellerey  did  not  answer.  This  recital  was  making 
many  things  clear  to  him. 

"I  knew  something  of  this  Captain,"  the  Princess 
went  on.  "In  my  heart  I  had  long  ago  chosen  him  to 
lead  my  cause.  I  tested  his  courage  on  the  night  I  be- 
lieved he  had  received  the  token.  It  was  I,  Captain 
Ellerey,  who  ran  with  you  along  the  deserted  streets 
from  the  Altstrasse  that  night;  it  was  I  who,  when  only 
numbers  had  succeeded  in  binding  you,  came  and  looked 
into  your  eyes  and  was  satisfied." 

"Yet  you  didn't  trust  me  enough  to  whisper  your 
name,"  said  Ellerey. 

"At  Court  you  came  under  the  influence  of  Frina 
Mavrodin,"  she  went  on  hastily.  "Perhaps,  even  with 
her,  my  cause  took  second  place  then.  You  were  stanch 
to  the  mission  you  had  undertaken;  she  could  not  turn 
you  from  that,  although  she  influenced  you  in  another 
way." 

"  What  do  you  mean,  Princess  ?  " 

"I  have  heard  her  speak  of  you,  I  have  noted  the 

light  in  her  eyes ;  do  you  think  I  could  be  deceived  ?  " 
16 


242  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"And  do  you  think,  Princess,  that  I  have  no  memory  ? 
Since  that  morning  on  the  downs " 

"Her  success  did  not  help  my  cause,  therefore  what 
was  it  to  me!"  cried  Maritza,  suddenly  starting  to  her 
feet.  "It  was  time  for  me  to  act.  You  know  the  rest. 
There  are  spies  everywhere,  and  I  knew  when  the  token 
was  given,  how  it  was  sent,  and  enclosed  in  a  similar 
fashion  I  had  my  own.  De  Froilette  was  afraid  of  me, 
therefore  it  was  possible  that  the  brigands,  or  some  of 
them,  at  least,  were  ready  to  take  up  my  cause.  The 
wine  that  night  made  you  sleep  heavily,  and  I  changed 
the  tokens.  There  is  a  loose  brick  in  yonder  corner, 
under  it  lies  the  Queen's  bracelet  of  medallions.  So, 
Captain  Ellerey,  you  have  me  in  your  power.  I  brought 
you  to  this  strait — the  remedy  is  in  your  own  hands. 
Deliver  me  and  the  Queen's  token  into  Vasilici's  hands, 
and — who  knows,  you  may  yet  win  place  and  power  in 
Sturatzberg." 

With  an  impatient  gesture,  Ellerey  walked  across  the 
chamber,  and  as  he  did  so  Anton  raised  his  head. 

"What,  old  watch-dog,  so  you  think  as  basely  of  me 
as  your  mistress  does,"  he  said,  noticing  the  sudden 
movement. 

•Anton  did  not  answer,  but  waited,  resting  on  his  elbow. 

"No  man  loves  being  fooled,  Princess,"  Ellerey  went 
on,  turning  round  hastily,  "and  that  I  have  been  by  the 
Queen,  by  De  Froilette,  and  by  you,  but  of  them  all  you 
only  have  insulted  me.  What  contempt  must  you  have 
for  me  to  think  even  of  such  a  thing!  Let  me  be  as 
short  and  brutal.  If  by  the  sacrifice  of  a  dog  to  those 
wolves  without  I  could  purchase  my  freedom,  I  would 
not  buy  it  at  the  price.  I  will  wake  you  presently,  Anton. 
You,  at  least,  I  can  understand,"  and  Ellerey  mounted 
the  steps  and  disappeared  into  the  upper  chamber. 


IN  DESPERATE  STRAITS  243 

He  went  no  farther  for  a  time,  but  sat  on  some  fallen 
stones  to  think,  and  his  thoughts  were  not  of  how  to  escape 
from  his  enemies,  nor  even  how  to  hold  them  at  bay  as  long 
as  possible,  but  of  two  women.  One,  a  woman  of  the 
world,  for  so  she  seemed,  the  centre  of  attraction,  beauti- 
ful, witty,  frivolous,  shimmering  in  silk  and  lace  and  jew- 
els, jewels  that  were  no  brighter  than  her  eyes.  He  had 
not  mentioned  her  among  those  who  had  fooled  him. 
She  had  not  done  so.  She  had  been  a  pleasant  companion, 
a  true  comrade,  perhaps;  indeed,  was  ready  to  give  him 
even  more  than  friendship.  He  might  have  loved  her  but 
for  the  other  woman,  whom  he  saw  again  as  in  a  vision, 
standing  on  the  summit  of  the  downs,  talking  of  empire  and 
power,  stirring  his  soul  from  its  lethargy  and  bidding  him 
play  the  man.  If  she  had  stirred  him  then,  how  much 
more  did  she  make  his  pulses  throb  now,  now  that  she  had 
shared  his  dangers  and  braved  so  much!  Had  she  any 
memory  such  as  his,  of  that  breezy  morning  long  ago  ? 
And  then  the  horror  of  the  present  overwhelmed  him  for  a 
time.  He  was  powerless  to  help  her. 

"There  is  no  future  for  us  beyond  to-morrow,  or  the 
day  after,"  he  murmured.  "  Fate  has  strangely  linked  me 
with  these  two  women,  and  made  sport  of  me.  One  might 
have  loved  me  perchance,  and  will  regret  me;  the  other  I 
love,  and  she  cares  not,  and  I  am  likely  to  lay  down  my  life 
in  a  last  endeavor  to  save  her.  Thank  God  for  such  a 
death!  A  man  could  scarcely  die  a  better  one,  although 
Stefan  would  hardly  think  so,"  and  he  climbed  to  the  roof 
to  talk  to  the  soldier  there. 

Princess  Maritza  stood  for  some  time  where  Ellerey  had 
left  her.  She  too,  perhaps,  forgot  the  present  for  a  little 
while,  and  her  thoughts  sped  to  Frina  Mavrodin.  Then 
she  crossed  the  chamber  quickly. 

"  Dumitru,  are  you  asleep  ?  " 


244  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  No,  Princess,"  the  man  answered,  starting  up. 

"  Lie  down  again,  Dumitru,  and  listen.  If  he  comes, 
be  asleep,  as  I  shall  feign  to  be;  but  listen,  and  if  you  do 
not  understand,  question  me  until  you  do." 

"  You  distrust  this  Captain,  Princess  ?  " 

"  No ;  he  may  yet  do  good  work  for  us." 

For  a  long  time  she  continued  to  speak  in  a  whisper. 

"  It  is  madness,"  murmured  the  man. 

"Wise  men  would  call  all  I  have  done  madness,"  she 
answered.  "  Listen,  Dumitru,  there  is  more." 

When  she  had  finished  there  was  silence. 

"  You  would  have  me  play  the  traitor,"  said  the  man, 
slowly. 

"  He  is  never  a  traitor  who  obeys  the  word  of  his  sov- 
ereign," she  answered. 

"  But,  Princess— 

"  Am  I  your  sovereign,  Dumitru  ?  " 

"  My  beloved  Princess,  indeed." 

"  Then  obey,  Dumitru.  Act  promptly  when  I  give  the 
word.  It  shall  be  soon.  Perhaps  to-night." 


CHAPTER  XX 

TREACHERY   OR  SACRIFICE 

ALL  that  night  the  stone,  menacingly  balanced  on  the  wall 
above  the  door,  remained  in  its  place.  The  brigands  had 
no  desire  to  court  a  useless  death,  and  they  could  afford  to 
wait. 

At  dawn  Ellerey  ascended  to  the  roof  of  the  tower  and 
found  Anton  pacing  its  narrow  limits  to  keep  the  warmth 
in  his  limbs. 

"  Nothing  happened,  Anton  ?  " 

"Nothing,  Captain." 

"  You  have  helped  your  mistress  into  a  desperate  strait. 
How  could  you  hope  for  anything  else  but  failure  ?  " 

"  The  Princess  has  told  you,  Captain  ?  " 

"  Aye,  man,  but  that  was  a  woman's  hope — a  brave  one 
if  you  will,  but  there  was  no  weighing  of  chances,  no  count- 
ing the  cost  in  it.  Was  there  nothing  more  than  this  despe- 
rate hope  at  the  back  of  your  mind,  no  sane  man's  reason- 
ing to  see  the  peril  of  it  ?  " 

"  I  am  but  a  servant  to  obey,"  Anton  answered.  "  Yet 
desperate  ventures  have  succeeded,  and  we  had  honesty  on 
our  side,  Captain.  Ours  is  the  just  cause,  and  that  counts 
for  something." 

"  No  wonder  Princess  Maritza's  history  is  one  of  failure 
if  her  counsellors  have  advised  after  this  manner,"  said 
Ellerey. 

"Are  you  certain  she  has  failed,  Captain?"  Anton 
asked,  turning  quickly  toward  him. 


246  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

The  earnestness  of  the  question,  added  to  its  seeming 
absurdity,  was  startling.  Could  there  be  any  doubt  of  the 
failure  ? 

"  Can  your  eyes  penetrate  beyond  the  spur  of  the  hills 
yonder  and  see  an  army  marching  to  our  rescue,  or  your 
ears  catch  the  welcome  sound  of  tramping  feet  ?  "  Ellerey 
said,  pointing  to  the  head  of  the  pass. 

"No,  Captain." 

"  Is  there  any  hope  that  a  single  man  has  set  out  from 
Sturatzberg  to  help  us  ?  " 

"  I  know  of  none,"  was  the  answer. 

"  And  about  us  the  plateau  is  full  of  men,  and  below  us 
in  the  pass  men  wait — enemies  all.  Outside  this  tower 
there  is  certain  death  for  us,  and  within  there  is  food  enough 
to  satisfy  one  man  for  a  day  perhaps." 

"  I  know,  Captain,  and  yet  the  Princess  may  not  have 
failed." 

Ellerey  did  not  answer.  He  leant  against  the  parapet 
watching  the  day  grow  brighter,  and  Anton  resumed  his 
quick  pacing  to  and  fro. 

The  men  on  the  plateau  and  below  in  the  pass  were  be- 
ginning to  stir.  Sentries  were  changed.  There  was  the 
murmur  of  voices,  and  presently  rising  curls  of  faint  blue 
smoke  from  fires  cooking  the  morning  meal.  There  was 
sunlight  on  the  higher  slopes,  and  the  song  of  birds  in  the 
air,  a  welcome  new  day  to  myriads  of  creatures  on  the  earth. 
To  the  man  looking  out  across  the  panorama  of  mountain 
peak  and  gorge  everything  seemed  a  mockery.  There  was 
something  cruel  in  gladdening  the  eyes  with  the  beauty  of 
earth  and  sky  when  in  a  few  short  hours  those  eyes  must 
close  forever.  In  the  full  possession  of  his  life  and  strength 
the  man  rebelled  against  his  fate.  It  was  the  end  of  a  rat 
in  a  trap — ignoble,  inglorious.  That  he  would  fall  in  strik- 
ing a  last  blow  for  a  woman  who  cared  naught  for  him  had 


TREACHERY  OR  SACRIFICE  247 

little  attraction  for  him  just  now.  If  he  could  save  her,  if 
his  death  could  bring  some  good  thing  to  pass,  it  would  be 
different. 

Once  or  twice  Anton  stopped  in  his  pacing  backward 
and  forward  to  look  steadily  toward  the  head  of  the  pass. 

"  Can  you  hear  the  tramping  feet  ?  "  Ellerey  asked  when 
he  stopped  again. 

"No,  Captain." 

"  Can  you  see  anything  ?  " 

"  No,  Captain ;  but  it  is  too  good  a  morning  to  accept 
failure." 

"  The  sun  doesn't  put  on  mourning  for  every  miserable 
dog  that  dies."  And  then,  as  Anton  resumed  his  walk 
without  a  word,  Stefan's  voice  was  heard  calling  Ellerey  to 
breakfast. 

All  the  stones  which  had  once  served  for  seats  and  a 
table  had  been  piled  up  against  the  door,  and  the  food  was 
spread  in  a  little  circle  in  the  centre  of  the  floor.  It  was 
Stefan's  arrangement.  He  had  refused  all  help  from  the 
Princess,  gruffly  but  firmly,  although  the  gruff  ness  may 
have  been  something  less  than  his  usual  manner  and  in- 
tended for  courtesy.  Maritza  stood  with  her  hands  behind 
her  watching  him,  a  smile  upon  her  lips. 

"There's  more  table  than  breakfast,  Captain,"  he  said 
as  Ellerey  came  down ;  "  but  it's  as  well  to  have  things  or- 
derly. There's  little  enough  to  say  grace  for,  but  there's  a 
lesson  in  the  display,  for  all  that.  It  represents  all  that 
stands  between  us  and  starvation." 

"With  care,  Stefan,  we  can  live  for "  And  then 

Ellerey  paused. 

"  Quite  so,  Captain.  I've  been  trying  to  fix  a  limit  my- 
self and  failed." 

Ellerey  looked  at  the  scraps  of  food.  At  any  other  time 
he  would  have  spurned  them  as  a  meal  of  any  sort;  but  in 


248  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

such  a  case  as  theirs  was,  morsels  of  food  bulk  large  with 
possibilities. 

"  To-day  and  perhaps  to-morrow,"  he  muttered. 

"  Yes,  we'll  be  quite  ready  to  welcome  a  change  of  diet 
by  to-morrow  night,"  said  Stefan,  "and  for  my  part  I 
shouldn't  quarrel  with  any  kind  of  food  and  drink  which 
happened  to  arrive  sooner.  There's  no  drawing  from  the 
mountain  stream  now  and  the  flasks  hold  little." 

"  Much  may  happen  in  two  days,"  said  Maritza  quietly. 

"True.  They  may  storm  the  tower  suscessfully  and 
put  us  beyond  the  want  of  food  before  to-morrow  night," 
Ellerey  answered. 

They  ate  their  small  portions  in  silence,  and  having 
eaten  them  remained  silent.  Each  one  was  conscious  that 
there  was  something  to  be  said,  yet  each  one  waited  for  the 
other  to  say  it. 

"  Captain."  It  was  a  relief  to  hear  Stefan's  voice,  and 
Ellerey  looked  up.  "  Captain,  I  make  no  claim  to  be  much 
of  a  man  at  giving  advice.  I've  seldom  been  asked  for  it, 
and  I've  usually  been  in  a  large  enough  company  for  it  to  be 
done  without;  but  as  we  are,  I  take  it  each  one  of  us  be- 
comes of  more  importance  than  under  ordinary  circum- 
stances." 

Ellerey  nodded. 

"  Well,  then,  my  case  is  this :  Years  ago  someone  found 
me  in  the  streets,  and  for  some  reason  known  only  to  them- 
selves decided  that  I  should  live.  I  may  have  been  hungry 
then — I  don't  remember — but  I've  never  been  hungry  since. 
I  may  have  had  to  steal  my  victuals,  but  anyway  I've  got 
them.  It  follows,  therefore,  that  in  fighting  hunger  I'm  not 
to  be  depended  on.  The  weapons  in  use  for  such  a  fray 
are  new  to  me,  and  I  don't  know  how  to  handle  them.  I'm 
afraid  of  the  enemy." 

"Well,  Stefan?" 


TREACHERY  OR  SACRIFICE  249 

"  Now  death,  I  suppose,  is  as  certain  within  the  next  few 
hours  as  anything  well  can  be,  and  I  should  like  to  meet  the 
kind  of  death  I  understand.  Let  us  fix  a  time  for  hauling 
down  the  barricade,  and  then  make  a  dash  for  it.  We'll  get 
as  far  as  the  path,  perhaps — there  is  just  a  chance  that  some 
of  us  may  get  farther;  but  anyhow,  we  die  in  the  open." 

"  Have  you  thought  of  the  Princess  ?  "  Ellerey  asked. 

"  The  circumstances  don't  make  it  easy  to  forget  her," 
Stefan  answered. 

"  Nor  difficult  to  hate  her,"  said  Maritza. 

"I  took  a  kind  of  liking  to  Grigosie  which  somehow 
keeps  me  back  from  hating  her,"  Stefan  went  on,  speaking 
to  Ellerey  and  not  looking  at  the  Princess.  "  I  don't  sup- 
pose, however,  that  she  knows  much  more  about  starvation 
than  I  do,  and  dying  in  the  open  may  suit  her  case  as  well  as 
mine." 

"  But  a  woman,  Stefan  ?  " 

"  I've  naught  to  do  with  women,  Captain,  and  I  see  none 
in  our  company.  I  only  see  two  good  comrades  before  me, 
one  lacking  a  bit  of  muscle  it  may  be,  but  lacking  no  cour- 
age. He  shall  go  between  us,  and  Anton  shall  cover  our 
rear.  There's  such  pleasure  in  the  thought  of  striking  an- 
other blow  that  there's  even  a  hope  in  it  that  we  may  win 
though." 

'"Stefan  is  right,"  Maritza  said.  "Let  us  make  the 
attempt  to-morrow." 

"  Why  not  to-day  ?  "  Stefan  asked. 

" The  food  is  not  all  gone,"  she  said;  " besides,  the  day 
holds  possibilities.  Let  us  wait  a  day,  Captain." 

"  If  the  attempt  is  to  be  made,  why  not  make  it  to-night  ? 
The  darkness  will  help  us,"  said  Ellerey. 

"  I  prefer  dying  in  the  sunlight,"  said  Stefan,  "  but  so 
long  as  I  die  in  the  open  the  stars  will  serve." 

"  In  the  night  if  you  will,  but  not  to-night,"  pleaded  Ma- 


250  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

ritza,  laying  her  hand  on  Ellerey's  arm.  "Let  it  be  to- 
morrow night." 

"  Hope  dies  hard  with  you,  Princess." 

"  I  have  a  fancy  to  look  upon  another  dawn,"  she  re- 
turned. "  Perhaps  to-morrow  is  the  anniversary  of  some 
great  event  in  my  history,  and  that  is  why  I  long  to  see  it. 
I  do  not  know,  but  in  us  all  there  is  a  vein  of  superstition. 
I  will  go  and  relieve  Anton." 

Stefan  watched  her  as  she  went  up  the  stairs  and  disap- 
peared into  the  upper  chamber. 

"  If  anyone  could  make  me  change  my  opinion  of  wom- 
en, she  would,"  he  said;  but  Ellerey  took  no  notice  of  the 
remark.  He  had  commenced  walking  up  and  down,  deep 
in  thought. 

The  day  passed  quietly.  The  brigands  made  no 
attempt  to  storm  the  tower,  and  the  huge  stone  above  the 
doorway  remained  balanced  on  the  wall.  But  to  those 
within  the  hours  dragged  heavily.  Stefan  spent  his  time 
feeling  the  edge  of  his  sword  and  seeing  that  the  revolvers 
were  in  good  order  and  loaded.  The  occupation  seemed  to 
bring  him  nearer  to  his  emancipation.  Ellerey  walked 
from  wall  to  wall,  turning  with  the  regularity  of  a  wild  beast 
in  a  cage.  A  dozen  times  or  more  he  climbed  to  the  roof, 
but  hardly  spoke  a  word  to  whoever  happened  to  be  sentry 
there.  Maritza  lay  down  and  appeared  to  sleep  a  good  deal 
when  her  duty  on  the  roof  was  over,  for  she  demanded  to 
take  her  turn  with  the  rest ;  and  Anton  was  restless  and  ner- 
vous. He  lay  down,  but  he  did  not  sleep;  his  eyes  were 
constantly  on  the  Princess. 

"  You  know  what  we  have  decided  ?  "  said  Ellerey  to 
him  during  the  day. 

"Yes,  Captain." 

"  You  have  no  better  plan  ?  " 

"  No,  Captain,  so  that  I  die  with  her  I  am  content." 


TREACHERY  OR  SACRIFICE  251 

The  day  drew  slowly  to  its  ending.  A  camp-fire  blazed 
upon  the  plateau,  and  two  in  the  pass  below,  around  which 
the  besiegers  gathered.  Still  there  were  no  signs  that  an 
attack  was  meditated,  and  Ellerey  watched  the  moving 
figures  for  a  long  time  and  marked  the  position  of  the 
sentries.  Such  knowledge  might  prove  useful  to-mor- 
row night.  And  he  determined  which  direction  to  take 
should  Providence  so  far  favor  them  as  to  allow  them  to 
gain  the  pass.  It  was  a  relief  to  find  even  this  employment 
to  occupy  his  mind. 

After  the  weary  day  the  night  was  almost  welcome. 
First  Stefan,  then  Ellerey,  had  watched  through  the  early 
hours;  now  Anton  paced  the  roof  restlessly  while  Maritza 
still  slept.  She  was  to  go  on  duty  at  dawn,  so  might  she  see 
the  new  day  break  as  she  wished.  •  When  Ellerey  came 
down,  Stefan  was  sleeping  heavily,  and  the  Princess  lay  in 
her  corner  with  her  arm  under  her  head,  a  picture  of  grace- 
ful repose  and  rest.  The  thought  of  the  certain  death  that 
awaited  her  made  Ellerey  sick  almost,  and  with  a  shudder 
and  a  curse  at  his  own  impotence,  he  cast  himself  down. 
For  a  time  he  tossed  and  turned  restlessly  this  \vay  and  that 
until,  utterly  wearied  out,  sleep  fell  upon  him  and  held  him 
fast,  smoothing  the  care  from  his  face  with  pleasant  dreams. 
Now  he  climbed  a  stretch  of  sunny,  wind-swept  downs,  the 
song  of  a  lark  and  the  sighing  sound  of  the  long  waving 
grass  in  his  ears ;  now  he  heard  the  rustle  of  silk  beside 
him  and  a  sweet  low  voice  and  pleasant  laughter  answered 
him,  a  little  foot  stepped  out  bravely  beside  his  own,  and 
a  little  hand  rested  confidently  in  his.  There  was  music 
and  laughter  about  him,  and  then  a  sudden  pause,  and 
darkness,  and  out  of  it  a  sharp  crackling  sound. 

"What  was  that?" 

Ellerey  had  started  up  only  half  awake.  It  was  Stefan's 
sudden  question  which  thoroughly  aroused  him.  The 


252  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

dawn  had  come  and  a  dim  light  was  in  the  chamber, 
strangely  dim  and  sombre  after  the  light  and  movement  in 
his  dream.  He  looked  across  at  Maritza's  corner  and  saw 
that  it  was  empty. 

"We  have  slept  soundly,  Stefan,"  he  said,  springing  to 
his  feet.  "  The  Princess  has  gone  on  duty. " 

"It  sounded  like  revolver  shots  to  me,"  the  soldier  an- 
swered as  he  followed  Ellerey  quickly  to  the  roof.  They 
stepped  from  the  broken  stairs  into  the  open,  and  then  stood 
still,  turning  to  look  at  each  other.  There  was  no  one 
there.  The  stone  still  rested  on  the  wall,  and  a  rope  which 
had  been  in  the  lower  chamber  lay  sprawling  over  the  roof, 
one  end  of  it  hanging  a  few  feet  over  the  parapet.  Both 
men  ran  to  the  wall  together.  The  plateau  was  empty,  not 
a  man  remained  there.  No  sentry  paced  along  the  edge  of 
it,  no  one  stood  there  at  the  head  of  the  zig-zag  path. 

"  Gone ! "  Ellerey  exclaimed.  It  was  not  of  the  brig- 
ands he  was  thinking,  and  Stefan  knew  it. 

"  By  that  rope.  And  Anton,  too.  Maybe  we  woke 
none  too  soon,  Captain."  And  then,  as  Ellerey  turned 
questioning  eyes  to  him,  he  added:  "There's  the  look  of 
treachery  in  this." 

Ellerey  did  not  answer,  but  the  question  asked  a  mo- 
ment later  showed  the  direction  his  thoughts  were  taking. 

"  Have  they  really  gone  ?  "  he  said,  pointing  to  the  pla- 
teau. 

The  soldier  shook  his  head  doubtfully  and  then  suddenly 
leant  forward,  his  hand  stretched  out  toward  the  pass 
before  them.  "  Look  yonder ! " 

The  light  was  growing  stronger  every  moment,  and  the 
moving  figures  in  the  valley  could  be  seen  distinctly.  There 
was  more  going  f  orward  there  than  the  awakening  of  a  camp 
to  a  new  day.  The  men  were  moving  in  orderly  groups, 
and  there  was  no  curling  smoke  from  newly-lighted  fires. 


TREACHERY  OR  SACRIFICE  253 

"They  are  on  the  march,  Captain:  and — look,  is  not 
the  lad  in  the  midst  of  them  ?  " 

Ellerey's  eyes  might  not  have  served  him  to  pick  out  the 
slim  figure,  but  thus  directed  he  had  no  doubt  it  was  the 
Princess  in  the  midst  of  the  men  who  marched  quickly 
along  the  pass  for  a  little  way  and  then  turned  aside  and 
seemed  to  be  swallowed  up  in  the  foot  of  the  mountain 
opposite. 

"She  could  not  have  gone  of  her  own  accord,  Stefan. 
They  must  have  found  means  to  capture  her." 

"  Anton  may  have  helped  them,  perhaps." 

"No;  he  was  faithful — my  life  on  that.  Great  heav- 
ens! She  is  in  their  power,  in  Vasilici's  power,  and  we 
stand  here  doing  nothing." 

"  She  may  have  gone  willingly,"  said  Stefan,  as  Ellerey 
rushed  toward  the  steps ;  "  besides,  what  can  we  do  ?  " 

"  Come  or  stay  as  you  will ! "  Ellerey  shouted  as  he  dis- 
appeared. 

"  She  went  willingly,"  Stefan  murmured,  lingering  be- 
hind for  a  moment  to  look  at  the  rope.  "At  least,  she 
climbed  down  to  them,  not  they  up  to  her.  I  never  trusted 
Anton.  If  I  hadn't  taken  a  liking  to  Grigosie  I  shouldn't 
trust  the  Princess.  She's  a  woman." 

Although  only  a  few  moments  had  elapsed,  Ellerey  was 
already  throwing  down  the  barricade  at  the  door  in  the 
ower  chamber  of  the  tower.  Stefan  first  looked  at  his  weap- 
ons and  then  went  across  to  the  corner  which  the  Princess 
had  occupied.  Ellerey  did  not  notice  him,  and  he  rose 
from  his  knees  there  only  as  Ellerey  had  sufficiently  thrown 
down  the  stones  to  draw  back  the  bolt  and  open  the  door 
wide  enough  to  get  out. 

"One  moment,  Captain.  I  am  with  you,  but  be  pre- 
pared for  attack."  Ellerey,  sword  in  one  hand,  revolver 
in  the  ether,  rushed  out  on  to  the  plateau,  Stefan  at  his 


254  PRINCESS   MARITZA 

heels.  No  shout  rang  out,  no  man  sprang  from  his  hiding- 
place  among  the  ruins  to  bar  their  way.  Even  the  valley 
was  empty.  The  last  of  the  men  who  had  encamped  there 
had  been  swallowed  up  by  the  mountain  opposite. 

"Captain,  the  token  which  the  Princess  said  was  hid- 
den under  the  loose  brick  yonder  is  gone." 

The  sword  which  Ellerey  held  ready  to  defend  himself 
fell  suddenly,  almost  as  it  had  done  when  he  recognized 
that  he  had  raised  it  against  a  woman.  Shame  had  sent 
the  color  to  his  cheeks  then,  and  the  color  came  into  his  face 
now,  anger  bringing  it  there.  Had  she  deceived  from  first  to 
last,  played  carelessly  with  all  the  finer  feelings  that  were  in 
him,  using  them  boldly  and  deliberately  for  her  own  end  ? 
These  were  the  thoughts  which  ran  swiftly  through  his 
mind,  and  well  might  they  stir  him  to  anger.  Then  came 
the  reaction,  suddenly,  swiftly.  No,  she  could  not  have 
deceived  him  in  this  manner.  There  was  some  reason  for 
her  going,  something  unforeseen  had  happened.  After  all 
they  had  come  through  together,  she  could  not  be  guilty  of 
treachery. 

"  You  found  nothing  else  ?  "  he  asked  hoarsely. . 

"  Yes,  this.  A  piece  of  stone  lay  upon  it  to  keep  it  in  its 
pla«e  close  to  where  she  slept  last  night." 

Ellerey  seized  the  scrap  of  paper  Stefan  held  out  to  him. 

"  I  have  brought  you  to  this,"  .he  read,  written  faintly  in 
pencil;  " I  have  thought  of  a  plan  to  save  you.  At  dawn 
I  shall  have  gone,  but  so  will  the  brigands.  You  will  be 
free  to  go  to  Sturatzberg,  if  you  will,  or  across  the  moun- 
tains northward  to  safety.  I  wonder  which  way  you  will 
take  ?  Mine  is  a  desperate  venture.  If  I  fail,  think  of  me 
sometimes,  for  to  me  also  there  has  often  come  the  mem- 
ory of  that  breezy  morning  in  England. — Maritza." 

"  Look,  Captain ! "  Stefan  cried. 

On  the  slope  of  the  opposite  hills,  where  the  path 


TREACHERY  OR  SACRIFICE  255 

over  a  spur,  a  party  of  the  marching  brigands  had  come  into 
view.  The  sunlight  had  come,  and  it  touched  the  men  as 
they  went.  The  distance  was  too  great  to  distinguish  the 
slim  figure  in  the  midst,  but  one  spot  of  white  showed  clearly, 
quivering  as  the  sunlight  touched  it.  For  a  moment  it  dis- 
appeared, then  it  fluttered  again,  and,  as  Ellerey  looked,  a 
crowd  of  conflicting  thoughts  and  emotions  were  in  his 
brain.  This  was  not  treachery,  but  sacrifice. 

"  A  waving  handkerchief,  Captain ;  a  signal  of  farewell," 
Stefan  murmured  in  a  low.  gruff  voice. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

i 

THE   RESCUE 

THE  white  signal  had  gone,  but  Ellerey's  eyes  remained 
fixed  upon  the  moving  black  line  until  a  fold  in  the  hills  hid 
it  from  sight.  Something  seemed  to  have  gone  out  of  his 
life,  suddenly  as  a  candle  is  blown  out  in  a  room.  Then  he 
turned  and  held  out  the  paper  to  the  soldier. 

Stefan  read  the  pencilled  lines,  turned  the  paper  over 
meditatively,  and  then  read  them  again.  The  words 
seemed  to  burn  their  way  into  his  brain  as  they  had  burnt 
into  Ellerey's,  but  the  effect  was  somewhat  different. 

"  It  is  not  like  a  woman,  is  it  ?  "  said  Stefan. 

"Very  like,  I  think." 

Stefan  shook  his  head,  as  though  he  regretted  his  com- 
panion's ignorance. 

"I  took  a  liking  to  Grigosie,"  he  said.  "I  saw  the 
making  of  a  grand  comrade  in  Grigosie.  I  can  understand 
his  doing  this  kind  of  thing,  but  not  a  woman." 

"  The  fact  remains  that  she  is  a  woman,"  said  Ellerey. 

"  Wonderful,"  answered  the  soldier,  as  he  handed  back 
the  paper.  "  It  would  appear  that  the  making  of  a  man 
rests  much  in  his  clothes.  I've  never  known  good  come 
from  a  petticoat.  Grigosie  didn't  wear  one.  Maybe  he 
recognized  that  he  was  a  man,  hidden  by  a  cruel  mistake 
in  the  shape  of  a  woman.  Ah,  Captain,  women  have  had 
the  spoiling  of  many  a  good  man  I've  drunk  with  and 
fought  beside.  I  wish  you  a  better  fate  than  theirs." 


THE  RESCUE  257 

• 

"  This  does  not  look  like  treachery,"  said  Elierey.  It 
was  evident  that  he  had  not  been  attending  to  his  compan- 
ion, but  had  been  following  out  a  train  of  thought  of  his 
own,  and  now  put  his  decision  into  words. 

"We're  standing  here  like  two  fools,  at  any  rate," 
Stefan  said.  "  We  ought  to  know  the  value  of  precaution 
by  this  time.  WTiat  is  to  be  done,  Captain?  Are  you 
for  Sturatzberg,  or  for  crossing  the  mountains  northward  ? 
It's  a  speedy  making  up  our  minds  that  is  needed  if  we 
are  not  to  starve." 

Elierey  was  still  following  his  own  thoughts. 

"  WThat  can  her  plan  be  ?  "  he  said.  "  What  hope  for 
her  cause  is  there  in  these  hills  ?  What  mercy  can  she 
expect  from  Vasilici  ?  " 

"As  Grigosie,  none;  as  a  woman,  she  may  persuade 
these  men  to  anything,"  Stefan  answered.  "  Some  power 
she  has,  or  why  did  they  not  kill  Grigosie  at  once  ?  " 

"It  is  a  terrible  thought,  Stefan,  but  may  they  not 
have  reserved  her  for  Vasilici's  vengeance?  Did  they 
not  cry  to  us  that  we  might  go  free  if  the  lad  were  given 
up  ?  She  heard  that ;  she  argued  with  us,  you  remember. 
She  has  sacrificed  herself  for  us." 

"Well,  Captain,  shall  we  follow?  Give  me  but  leave 
to  kill  something  on  the  way  and  get  on  friendly  terms 
with  my  stomach.  I  care  not  which  road  we  take,  nor  to 
what  it  leads  us." 

"  We  will  follow  her,"  said  Elierey. 

"  I'd  never  leave  so  good  a  comrade  as  Grigosie  in  a 
tight  place,"  murmured  Stefan.  "Keep  watch,  Captain, 
while  I  gather  up  what  we  take  with  us,  and  fill  our  flasks 
at  Grigosie's  fairy  fountain  yonder." 

When  Stefan  returned,  he  found  Elierey  standing  on 
the  edge  of  the  plateau  looking  down  into  the  pass. 

"  What  is  it,  Captain  ?  "  he  called  out  as  he  came. 
17 


«58  ^PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"They  have  not  kept  their  promise,  Stefan,  that  is 
all,"  Ellerey  answered,  pointing  down  into  the  valley. 

A  savage  oath  burst  from  Stefan's  lips.  "They've 
played  the  lad  false  in  this,  they'll  play  him  false  in  all," 
and  the  tone  in  which  he  said  it  revealed  for  a  moment 
the  real  heart  of  the  man  hidden  deep  down  under  this 
rough  exterior. 

From  a  hidden  pathway  at  the  foot  of  the  hills  the 
brigands  came  out  singly,  fourscore  of  them  at  least. 
Each  man  looked  up  at  the  plateau  as  he  issued  from  the 
path,  and  the  manner  in  which  his  eager  steps  gave  way 
at  once  to  an  easier  and  more  slouching  gait  showed  plainly 
enough  that  the  object  of  their  coming  had  been  attained, 
that  no  further  hurry  was  necessary.  Some  went  to  the 
places  where  the  fires  had  been,  and  kicked  the  ashes 
together;  while  others  stacked  their  arms,  and  sat  down 
in  twos  and  threes  along  the  pass. 

"Those  were  revolver  shots  that  woke  us,  Captain," 
said  Stefan  thoughtfully.  "I  expect  Grigosie  meant  to 
rouse  us  as  soon  as  we  could  no  longer  prevent  his  going, 
and  intended  us  to  make  the  best  of  our  chances." 

"And  we've  missed  them,"  said  Ellerey.  "I  fancy 
this  is  meant  to  be  our  last  adventure,  Stefan." 

"They'll  come  up  the  path  presently,  and  the  sooner 
the  better,"  was  the  answer.  "A  few  of  them  shall  finish 
their  adventures  along  with  us;  but  we'll  fight  our  last 
fight  here,  Captain,  not  in  the  tower  yonder." 

"I  have  a  sudden  lust  for  life,  Stefan,  a  longing  to 
be  face  to  face  with  Vasilici  once  more,"  whispered  Ellerey, 
as  though  he  imagined  the  men  in  the  valley  below  might 
hear  his  secret.  "  If  we  wait  until  sundown  we  might  get 
through  them  in  the  darkness." 

"Our  original  plan,"  Stefan  answered.  "I  am  with 
you,  Captain,  and  if  you  will  watch  those  blackguards 


THE  RESCUE  259 

yonder,  I'll  turn  my  attention  to  a  bird  that's  hovering  on 
the  mountain  above.  Heaven  grant  he  comes  within 
range,  and  an  empty  stomach  does  not  put  my  eye  out." 

But  the  bird  seemed  to  have  no  more  intention  of 
serving  two  hungry  men  for  food  than  the  brigands  meant 
to  throw  away  their  lives  by  an  attempt  to  win  the  plateau. 
They  posted  sentinels,  one  near  the  foot  of  the  zig-zag 
path,  and  one  beyond  the  camp-fire  toward  the  head  of 
the  pass ;  the  rest  sat  or  stood  at  their  ease  between  these 
two  points,  and,  unless  they  changed  their  plan  at  night, 
Ellerey  perceived  that,  if  the  sentry  at  the  foot  of  the  path 
were  once  silenced  without  being  able  to  give  warning, 
the  road  to  the  way  taken  by  the  Princess  and  her  captors 
would  be  clear.  He  studied  the  shape  of  the  hills  and  the 
distance  carefully,  so  that  he  might  the  more  easily  find 
that  road,  and  he  noticed  how  long  a  time  elapsed  between 
the  relief  of  the  sentries.  If  they  attacked  the  man  soon 
after  his  coming  on  duty,  so  much  the  longer  start  would 
they  obtain. 

The  day  wore  on,  and  he  and  Stefan  finished  the 
scraps  of  food  which  were  left,  and  thanked  their  good 
fortune  that  they  had  not  the  terrors  of  thirst  to  face. 
Stefan  still  watched  the  mountains  above  for  a  bird,  and 
Ellerey  planned  the  work  of  the  night  in  every  detail, 
explaining  some  new  point  to  the  soldier  every  time  he 
approached  him.  He  had  paid  little  attention  to  the  men 
in  the  valley  below  for  some  time,  when  he  was  startled 
by  a  single  shot,  which  rang  out  clearly  in  the  still  air. 
For  a  moment  he  thought  that  Stefan  had  got  his  bird  at 
last,  but  the  next  instant  the  soldier  was  beside  him,  as 
startled  as  he  was.  It  was  the  sentry  toward  the  head  of 
the  pass  who  had  fired,  and  he  now  came  rushing  toward 
his  companions,  who  quickly  seized  their  weapons. 

"  Do  I  hear  horses  ?  "  exclaimed  Stefan  excitedly.    "  By 


260  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

the  father  and  mother  I  never  knew,  there  are  horses  gal- 
loping up  the  pass.  There  are  several  of  them,  and  they 
come  quickly." 

The  brigands  were  evidently  unprepared  for  such  an 
attack,  and  did  not  appear  to  have  a  capable  leader 
among  them.  They  had  not  come  there  to  fight,  only 
to  starve  two  men  into  surrender,  and  as  they  ran  together 
there  was  a  general  movement  toward  the  path  they  had 
come. 

Into  the  pass  galloped  some  two  dozen  horsemen, 
who,  at  a  sign  from  their  leader,  drew  rein  upon  seeing 
the  brigands,  and  turned  to  shout  to  others  who  had  not 
yet  come  into  view. 

"An  advance  guard  only,"  muttered  Stefan. 

The  brigands  evidently  thought  the  same,  and  those 
who  could  not  reach  the  mountain  path  in  time  began  a 
hasty  retreat  up  the  pass,  firing  in  a  desultory  manner  as 
they  went.  They  had  no  intention  of  attempting  to  hold 
their  position;  safety  was  all  they  cared  about.  The 
horsemen  paused  a  moment  to  fire  a  volley,  and  then 
charged,  but  there  was  little  fighting.  Two  or  three  of 
the  brigands  were  cut  down,  and  one  horseman  pitched 
forward  suddenly  as  a  bullet  brought  his  horse  to  the 
ground,  but  that  was  all.  The  brigands  scrambled  into 
the  mountain  paths  or  up  the  mountain  slope  out  of  reach, 
and  the  leader  of  the  troop  checked  any  pursuit  of  those 
who  were  fleeing  rapidly  up  the  pass. 

"  Is  this  a  rescue,  or  have  we  only  changed  our  enemy  ?  " 
said  Ellerey. 

"  They  are  dismounting,  and  will  come  up  the  zig-zag 
way;  we  had  better  meet  them  at  the  top  of  it,"  said  Stefan. 

Only  one  man  came  up  to  them. 

"  There  is  not  much  distinction  to  be  had  from  routing 
such  an  enemy,  Captain  Ellerey,"  he  said. 


THE  RESCUE  261 

"Baron  Petrescu!" 

"At  your  service,  although  barely  recovered  from  the 
effects  of  our  last  meeting.  Time  pressed,  so  I  did  not 
wait  for  a  doctor's  certificate  of  fitness." 

"I  thank  you,  but  I  hardly  understand  the  situation, 
Baron,"  said  Ellerey. 

"And  that  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,"  was  the  answer; 
"but  there  will  be  time  to  explain  presently.  Enough 
that  we  can  shake  hands  over  a  past  quarrel  for  which  I 
have  paid  the  penalty,  and  know  that  we  stand  together 
now." 

Ellerey  took  his  outstretched  hand  without  a  word. 

"The  Princess  is  with  you?  "  Petrescu  asked. 

"  She  was  until  this  morning." 

"Killed!"  cried  the  Baron. 

"  No ;  and  yet  I  do  not  know  that  worse  has  not  hap- 
pened to  her." 

"While  you  explain,  Captain,  have  I  your  leave  to 
go  down  and  make  the  acquaintance  of  our  new  comrades  ?  " 
said  Stefan.  "My  stomach  yearns  toward  them,  and 
their  victuals  and  drink." 

"I  had  forgotten,"  said  the  Baron  hastily.  "You 
can  explain  while  we  eat  and  drink,  Captain." 

"A  few  moments  will  make  no  difference,  Baron," 
said  Ellerey,  nodding  a  consent  to  Stefan,  who  went  down 
into  the  pass  quickly.  Then  he  went  on :  "  Do  you  know 
the  Princess's  plans,  Baron  ?  " 

"  I  thought  I  did,  but  her  sudden  disappearance  from 
Sturatzberg  was  unexpected  by  me;  still,  I  know  enough 
of  your  mission  to  guess  her  reason  for  joining  you." 

"Then,  Baron,  you  know  my  position.  It  was  not 
Princess  Maritza's  cause  which  brought  me  to  these  hills. 
I  am  the  victim  of  a  conspiracy;  but  at  the  same  time, 
my  only  thought  now  is  for  the  safety  of  the  Princess." 


262  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

The  Baron  nodded,  and  glanced  swiftly  at  his  com- 
panion. 

"I  understand,  Captain." 

Shortly  Ellerey  told  him  what  had  occurred  since 
Princess  Maritza  had  joined  him  at  the  Toison  d'Or, 
reserving  nothing,  not  even  his  own  anger  at  the  deceit 
which  had  been  practised  upon  him. 

"  It  was  a  desperate  enterprise,  doomed  to  failure  from 
the  beginning,"  he  went  on;  "but  as  it  was,  only  one 
course  was  open  to  me,  to  protect  the  Princess  to  the  best 
of  my  ability.  Our  food  was  gone,  and  we  had  determined 
to  make  a  dash  for  safety  after  dark  to-night.  That  we 
did  not  do  so  last  night  was  by  the  Princess's  desire.  Her 
going  must  have  been  in  her  mind  then." 

"She  took  the  bracelet  of  medallions  with  her?  "  said 
Petrescu  thoughtfully. 

"  She  told  me  it  was  in  the  tower  yonder;  it  is  not  there 
now,  so  I  presume  she  took  it." 

"  It  may  possibly  secure  her  safety." 

"Vasilici  is  a  truculent  villain,"  Ellerey  answered. 
"  He  is  not  likely  to  forget,  or  forgive,  that  shot  which  saved 
my  life." 

"  Then  you  would  follow  her  r" 

"  Stefan  and  I  had  decided  to  do  so  when  those  fellows 
stole  back  to  prevent  us.  We  should  have  taken  our 
chance  after  dark  to-night." 

Petrescu  was  thoughtful  for  a  time. 

"  I  hardly  know  what  course  to  advise,"  he  said  presently. 
"  We  may  not  be  able  to  help  her  much  in  these  hills,  while 
in  Sturatzberg  we  might  stir  up  the  people  in  her  cause." 

"At  least  I  have  small  power  in  the  city,"  said  Ellerey, 
with  a  smile.  "Those  who  trusted  me  very  naturally 
think  me  a  traitor,  and  I  should  quickly  be  delivered  over 
to  enemies  who  would  make  short  work  of  me." 


THE  RESCUE  863 

"Yet  you  have  powerful  friends  there." 

"Indeed?" 

"When  the  men  who  deserted  you  rode  into  the  city 
with  stories  of  your  treachery,  Captain  Ellerey's  name 
suddenly  became  known  to  hundreds  who  had  never 
heard  it  before,  and  to  each  one  of  them  he  became  a  friend, 
since  his  fate  was  linked  with  Princess  Maritza's." 

"Would  such  friendship  protect  me  from  my  ene- 
mies ?  " 

"At  least  many  a  hiding-place  in  the  city  would  be 
open  to  you,  and  some  men  might  sooner  give  up  their 
lives  than  betray  you.  There  is  one  proof  of  the  truth 
of  what  I  say.  The  men  who  deserted  you  all  died  a 
violent  death  that  night.  They  were  found  lying  side 
by  side  in  the  Bergenstrasse,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  the 
city  was  patrolled  by  troops." 

Ellerey  looked  at  him  inquiringly. 

"  No,  Captain,  I  was  not  privy  to  their  assassination, 
although  I  might  make  a  shrewd  guess  in  what  quarter 
the  plot  originated." 

"  Then  Sturatzberg  is  in  uproar  ?  " 

"No;  it  is  strangely  quiet,  all  things  considered — that 
quiet  which  presages  a  storm.  The  King  would  strike 
if  he  knew  where  to  strike,  but  he  hardly  knows  who  are 
his  enemies." 

"  The  sight  of  me  would  give  him  some  idea  where  to 
aim  a  blow,"  said  Ellerey. 

"Yes;  and  yet  he  might  think  twice  before  striking 
it.  You  have  powerful  friends,  one  very  powerful  friend — 
one  very  powerful  friend." 

"  You  do  not  mean  her  Majesty  ?  " 

"I  think  you  know  I  do  not,  Captain  Ellerey,"  the 
Baron  answered.  "It  was  the  Countess  Mavrodin  who 
bid  me  come." 


264  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  I  know  that  the  cause  of  Princess  Maritza  is  dear  to 
her,"  said  Ellerey  quietly. 

"It  is,  and  to  me,"  said  the  Baron;  "and  yet  we  are 
probably  not  doing  the  best  for  it  by  bringing  two  dozen 
horsemen  into  the  hills.  There  are  no  more  behind.  Our 
calling  back  as  though  there  were  was  a  strategem  to  strike 
greater  terror  into  the  brigands.  No,  Captain,  the  Coun- 
tess bid  me  come  to  rescue  the  Princess,  and  you,  to  aid 
your  escape  out  of  Wallaria  if  need  be,  and  her  command 
is  my  law.  Do  we  understand  each  other,  Captain  El- 
lerey?" 

They  looked  into  each  other's  eyes  for  a  moment. 

"  Do  you  understand  why  I  forced  a  duel  upon  you  ?  " 
Petrescu  went  on.  "I  might  tell  you  that  I  believed  the 
Queen's  token  was  in  your  possession;  it  would  be  true; 
but  that  was  not  uppermost  in  my  thoughts  when  we 
stood  face  to  face.  Therefore,  when  I  come  to  you 
at  her  bidding,  you  may  well  trust  me,  since  I  have  little 
to  win  by  it." 

"  Only  partly  do  I  understand  you,  Baron." 

"You  Northmen,  in  spite  of  your  many  virtues,  are 
slower  to  understand  than  we  Southerners  are.  Would 
you  have  me  pluck  the  fruit  for  you  as  well  as  show  you 
the  tree  ?  Sturatzberg  may  be  in  open  rebellion  before 
a  week  is  out,  and  Frina  Mavrodin  may  have  to  leave  it. 
I  will  say  no  more.  Even  my  generosity  has  a  limit." 

Ellerey  could  not  fail  to  understand  his  meaning. 

"You  had  better  read  that,  Baron,"  he  said,  handing 
him  Maritza's  letter. 

Petrescu  took  the  scrap  of  paper  and  read  it  carefully. 

"I  met  Maritza  long  ago  in  England,"  he  said  as 
Petrescu  looked  at  him.  "She  has  remembered  it,  you 
see,  and  I — I  came  to  Sturatzberg." 

"  Then  the  Countess  is " 


THE  RESCUE  265 

"My  friend,  but  Maritza We  waste  precious 

time,  Baron;  I  must  follow  Maritza." 

"I  understand.  Come  and  eat.  We  must  lose  ne 
time," 

It  was  arranged  to  leave  some  of  the  men  in  charge 
of  the  tower  and  of  the  horses.  They  were  to  wait  there 
six  days,  and  if  by  that  time  Baron  Petrescu  and  his  party 
had  not  returned,  they  were  to  go  back  to  Sturatzberg, 
taking  a  circuitous  road  to  avoid  the  soldiers  encamped  in 
the  plain.  Stefan  was  left  in  command  of  these  men, 
since  he  had  had  experience  how  the  plateau  could  best 
be  defended  in  case  of  need.  That  the  brigands  would 
attack  them,  however,  seemed  unlikely,  for  they  had  evi- 
dently fled  in  the  belief  that  the  men  they  had  seen  were 
only  an  advance  guard. 

Night  was  falling  when  the  party,  well  armed  and  full 
of  excitement,  set  out.  There  was  a  silver  light  behind 
the  distant  heights,  herald  of  the  moon,  so  there  was  little 
need  to  wait  for  the  dawn;  besides,  one  of  the  brigands 
had  only  been  slightly  wounded,  and  was  pressed  into 
their  service  as  guide.  He  loudly  declared  that  he  had 
no  idea  where  his  chief  was  hiding,  until  the  Baron  held 
a  revolver  to  his  head,  and  gave  him  half  a  minute  to  find 
whether  his  memory  could  not  be  jogged  sufficiently  to 
serve  him  better.  Before  the  thirty  seconds  had  passed, 
it  had  worked  to  good  effect,  and  he  set  out  with  a  man  on 
either  side  of  him  who  had  strict  injunctions  to  see  that 
he  should  be  the  first  to  pay  for  any  treachery  which  might 
happen. 

"Some  of  the  brigands  cannot  be  far  in  front  of  us," 
said  the  Baron;  "and  this  fellow  will  know  their  likely 
haunt  and  give  us  warning  in  time.  If  he  forgets  to  do 
so,  the  sun  will  rise  in  vain  to-morrow  for  him." 

They  tramped  silently  through  the  night,  often  in  sin- 


266  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

gle  file,  for  the  way  contracted  often  to  the  narrowest  of 
defiles.  That  they  had  started  right  Ellerey  knew,  and 
he  was  inclined  to  think  that  so  far  their  guide  had  not 
misled  them.  There  seemed  to  be  no  other  way  by  which 
they  could  have  come. 

Just  before  dawn  the  brigand  stopped;  his  memory 
had  been  excellently  aroused. 

"  We  approach  an  open  space  where  my  people  some- 
times halt,"  he  said. 

Two  men  were  sent  forward  to  reconnoitre,  but  found 
the  place  empty,  and  here  they  halted. 

"How  much  farther  to  where  Vasilici  is?"  asked 
Petrescu. 

"We  should  reach  the  place  by  noon,"  the  brigand 
answered;  "but  he  may  have  moved.  My  comrades 
will  have  told  him  of  your  coming  to  the  pass." 

"I  dare  say  you  will  remember  where  he  is  likely  to 
have  removed  to,"  the  Baron  returned,  "  since  your  misera- 
ble life  depends  upon  it." 

They  were  just  preparing  to  continue  their  journey 
after  a  short  rest  and  hasty  meal,  when  they  heard  the 
sound  of  falling  footsteps  coming  rapidly  toward  them. 
Only  one  man,  and  he  was  running  with  that  easy,  meas- 
ured stride  which  a  runner  falls  into  when  his  journey  is 
likely  to  be  a  long  one.  A  moment  later  he  ran  into  the 
midst  of  them. 

"Stop!"  cried  several  voices. 

The  man,  with  a  glance  to  right  and  left  of  him  for  a 
way  of  escape,  stood  still;  but  in  an  instant  a  knife 
gleamed  in  his  hand,  and  in  that  moment  Ellerey  recog- 
nized him. 

"Anton!" 

The  man  turned  toward  him  and  lowered  the  knife 
at  once. 


THE  RESCUE  267 

'*  The  Princess,  Anton,  where  is  she  ?  " 
"Yonder;    alive,"  Anton  answered.     "Give  me  a 
moment  and  some  drink.     I  have  a  message." 
"Forme?" 
**  For  all,  Captain,  who  love  her.'* 


CHAPTER   XXII 


ALTHOUGH  Anton  had  declared  to  Ellerey  that  there  was 
no  certainty  that  the  Princess  had  failed,  he  did  not  believe 
in  his  own  optimism.  True,  death  seemed  certain  in  the 
tower,  but  it  had  been  kept  at  bay  until  now  almost  mirac- 
ulously, it  seemed  to  him,  and  a  faith  in  Captain  Ellerey 
had  grown  up  in  him.  The  Princess's  resolution  to  deliver 
herself  to  the  brigands  appeared  little  short  of  madness  to 
Anton ;  he  even  considered  whether  he  would  not  be  acting 
in  her  best  interests  by  disclosing  the  plan  to  Ellerey; 
and  he  felt  a  traitor  even  when  he  carried  out  her  commands. 
During  his  long  hours  of  watching  on  the  roof,  it  had 
been  comparatively  easy  to  communicate  with  the  brig- 
ands on  the  plateau.  Having  attracted  their  attention, 
he  dropped  a  paper,  wrapped  round  a  piece  of  stone, 
telling  them  who  the  youth  really  was,  that  she  was  ready 
to  go  with  them  to  Vasilici,  on  condition  that  her  com- 
panions were  allowed  to  leave  the  hills  unmolested;  that 
she  had  in  her  possession  the  token  which  Vasilici  expected 
and  was,  moreover,  the  bearer  of  a  message  which  those 
who  were  with  her  would  not  allow  her  to  deliver.  The 
brigands  accepted  the  terms,  and  although  they  broke 
faith  and  came  back  to  secure  the  two  men  in  the  tower 
if  possible,  they  made  no  attempt  to  injure  the  Princess 
when  she  climbed  down  the  rope  after  Anton  and  stood 
in  the  midst  of  them.  She  was  not  wrong  in  thinking 


IN   VASILICI'S    STRONGHOLD  269 

that  she  was  far  too  valuable  a  prisoner  not  to  be  taken 
with  all  speed  to  Vasilici.  As  the  brigands  surrounded 
her,  Anton  caught  the  rope,  and,  with  a  quick,  dexterous 
turn  of  his  arm,  sent  the  end  of  it  flying  upward  to  the  roof. 

"  You  may  trust  us/'  said  one  man,  trying  to  keep  the 
anger  out  of  his  voice. 

"I  do,"  Maritza  answered;  "but  nothing  was  said 
about  the  rope,  and  a  small  matter  may  make  a  difference 
in  such  a  treaty  as  ours." 

As  they  descended  the  zig-zag  path,  Maritza  fired 
three  times  into  the  air,  causing  the  men  near  her  to  start 
back. 

"They  are  sleeping,"  she  said,  nodding  toward  the 
tower.  "That  is  to  wrake  them,  and  let  them  know  of 
the  treaty." 

"I  must  ask  you  for  that  weapon,"  said  the  leader, 
but  in  spite  of  himself  he  spoke  with  a  certain  deference. 
"  It  is  a  dangerous  plaything  in  your  hands." 

"  It  is  empty  and  of  no  further  use  to  me,"  she  answered, 
with  a  smile,  handing  him  the  revolver.  "Keep  it,  my 
friend.  It  has  my  initials  engraved  on  it,  and  may  serve 
you  as  a  boast  some  day  when  you  entertain  your  fellows 
with  tales  of  your  adventures." 

Having  arranged  which  men  should  gradually  fall 
out  in  twos  and  threes  and  presently  return  to  the  pass, 
the  brigands  made  haste  to  march,  and  they  did  not  inter- 
fere when  Maritza  waved  her  handkerchief  to  the  two 
solitary  figures  standing  on  the  plateau.  It  would  show 
that  the  Princess  was  safe  and  allay  any  suspicions  they 
might  have ;  they  would  probably  not  hurry  their  depart- 
ure, and  were  likely  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  men 
returning  to  the  pass.  Nor  did  they  make  any  objection 
to  Anton  walking  beside  the  Princess;  there  was  so  evi- 
dently no  idea  of  attempting  to  escape. 


270  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  How  long  a  march  have  we  before  reaching  Vasilici  ?  " 
Maritza  asked,  turning  to  a  man  who  walked  near  her. 

"  We  shall  reach  him  to-night,"  was  the  answer,  "  unless 
\re  make  a  long  halt  on  the  way." 

The  man  did  not  look  at  her  as  he  spoke.  He  had 
been  specially  told  off  to  keep  near  her  and  to  listen  should 
she  talk  secretly  with  her  fellow-prisoner.  His  compan- 
ions immediately  near  straggled  a  little  as  they  marched, 
and  presently  he  drew  nearer  to  Maritza,  and  she  no- 
ticed it. 

"Take  no  heed  of  me  and  do  not  look  at  me,"  he 
said.  "  Have  you  a  hope  of  winning  over  Vasilici  ?  " 

"  I  have  a  message  for  him." 

"  A  doubtful  protection,"  was  the  answer. 

"Perhaps  so,  but  I  have  friends  in  his  company." 

"You  were  ill-advised  to  make  this  journey;  I  have 
warned  you."  And  still  keeping  his  even  pace,  the  man 
moved  farther  from  her  side. 

This  whispered  conversation  set  many  thoughts 
surging  through  Maritza's  brain — not  new  thoughts 
exactly,  for  there  were  few  contingencies  she  had  not 
provided  for  when  she  determined  to  place  herself  in 
the  hands  of  the  brigands,  but  thoughts  which  began  to 
cut  deeper,  as  it  were,  into  a  channel  already  made. 
This  man's  action  proved  that  he  was  not  altogether 
indifferent  to  her,  and  it  was  hardly  likely  that  he  was 
the  only  one  among  Vasilici's  followers  who  might  be 
ready  to  speak  a  word  for  her,  perhaps  even  strike  a 
blow  for  her,  could  she  stir  them  sufficiently.  Brigand- 
age was  not  the  natural  calling  of  many  who  had  flocked 
to  Vasilici's  standard,  nor  were  they  likely  to  rest  con- 
tented with  Vasilici's  leadership  for  long.  Were  they 
not  even  now  waiting  for  a  message  from  the  Queen,  to 
whom  in  the  future  they  would  look  for  favor  ? 


IN  VASILICI'S  STRONGHOLD  271 

At  noon,  when  a  halt  was  called,  this  same  man  saw 
that  Maritza  had  sufficient  to  eat,  and  replaced  the  flask 
of  wine  given  her  by  another,  saying  that  it  was  better 
and  that  she  would  want  all  her  strength.  He  took  no 
notice  of  Anton,  who,  by  the  Princess's  instructions, 
spoke  to  no  one  unless  he  were  spoken  to.  She  wanted 
to  draw  as  little  attention  to  him  as  possible,  and  sought 
by  various  means  to  show  that  he  was  a  servant  only, 
and  not  a  very  highly  valued  one.  She  felt  that  his 
insignificance  might  render  him  trebly  valuable  under 
certain  conditions.  So  utterly  absorbed  was  she  by  her 
thoughts  that  the  length  of  the  march  did  not  greatly 
fatigue  her.  She  failed  to  recognize  that  the  way  was 
often  rough  and  difficult,  and  that  the  pace  of  the  whole 
band  had  slackened  somewhat  as  the  day  advanced. 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  when  they  entered  a 
narrow  defile  between  two  precipitous  mountain  walls, 
which  looked  as  though  some  huge  giant  had  cut  out 
one  slice  from  the  top  to  the  bottom  of  the  mountain. 
Perhaps  through  many  ages  a  rapid  narrow  torrent  had 
rushed  here  cutting  slowly  but  surely  deeper.  There 
was  no  water  now,  but  the  way  was  paved  with  loose 
pebbles,  which  made  progress  slow  and  tiring.  It  was 
not  a  way  one  would  choose,  and  since  near  the  entrance 
there  were  other  paths  more  inviting,  Maritza  concluded 
that  they  were  nearing  the  end  of  the  journey.  For  a 
moment  on  entering  the  defile  her  heart  sank  within  her. 
It  was  like  leaving  the  open  world  and  the  sunlight  to 
creep  into  the  dark  unknowable,  where  some  horrible 
fate  might  await  her.  Would  she  ever  step  freely  into 
the  open  light  of  day  again?  Her  thoughts  sped  back- 
ward to  the  tower  standing  above  the  pass  and  to  the  man 
she  had  left  there.  Which  road  had  he  taken — the  way 
to  Sturatzberg,  or  the  path  across  the  mountains  north- 


272  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

ward  which  led  to  safety?  If  to  Sturatzberg,  why  had 
he  gone  there  ?  Her  hands  clenched  a  little  as  an  answer 
came  quickly  to  her  question,  but  she  murmured  to  her- 
self :  "  What  is  it  to  me  ?  I  am  Maritza,  the  lawful  ruler 
of  this  land.  What  is  anything  to  me  but  the  memory 
of  my  fathers  and  the  battle  for  my  rights  ?  "  The  thought 
brought  back  her  courage,  and  made  her  calm. 

They  had  not  proceeded  far  along  the  narrow  defile 
before  they  were  challenged  by  a  sentry  posted  upon  a 
narrow  pathway  which  seemed  to  have  been  scooped 
out  of  the  solid  rock  above  the  rough  road  they  were 
traversing.  The  challenge  was  a  mere  form,  for  he 
could  not  fail  to  recognize  many  of  his  companions,  but 
his  gun  was  not  lowered  until  the  pass-word  had  been 
shouted  back.  This  was  evidently  the  brigand's  strong- 
hold, and  it  was  well  guarded.  In  a  retreat  so  defended 
by  nature,  the  brigands  could  defy  any  army  sent  against 
them,  and  for  the  first  time  Maritza  understood  why  no 
effort  had  been  successful  in  dislodging  them. 

At  the  end  of  the  defile  they  were  challenged  again, 
this  time  by  a  small  body  of  men  on  guard  there,  and 
having  answered  and  been  allowed  to  pass,  they  emerged 
into  a  large  circular  hollow  in  the  hills.  On  every  side 
it  was  enclosed  by  precipitous  walls  in  which,  here  and 
there,  were  narrow  openings,  evidently  paths  similar  to 
the  one  they  had  travelled.  The  hollow  was  covered 
with  tents  and  wooden  huts,  the  latter  put  together  with 
a  solidity  which  showed  that  they  were  permanent  struct- 
ures, and  suggested  that  whatever  enterprise  the  brigands 
entered  upon,  this  stronghold  was  never  left  undefended. 

The  party  was  evidently  expected.  The  news  that 
Princess  Maritza  had  determined  to  place  herself  in  his 
hands  had  been  quickly  carried  to  Vasilici,  and  with  a 
few  of  his  leading  men  he  was  seated  in  front  of  a  long 


IN  VASILICI'S  STRONGHOLD  273 

wooden  shed  when  his  captive  was  brought  into  the 
hollow.  His  arm  was  still  in  a  sling,  and  his  expression 
was  morose  and  fierce,  although  a  grin  of  satisfaction 
lightened  his  face  for  a  moment  when  he  saw  the  trim, 
youthful  figure  and  knew  that  the  cause  of  his  bandaged 
arm  was  now  in  his  power.  Perhaps  in  the  back  of  his 
mind  he  had  already  begun  to  devise  fitting  tortures  for 
his  enemy.  During  the  long  march  Maritza  had  pictured 
this  moment,  and  had  determined  how  to  act;  but  the 
real  scene  was  rather  different  from  the  picture  she  had 
imagined.  As  the  men  who  had  brought  her  fell  back, 
leaving  her  alone,  with  Anton  a  few  paces  behind  her, 
she  glanced  round  at  the  crowd  and  said: 

"  Which  among  you  is  Vasilici  ?  " 

His  appearance  sufficiently  marked  him  out  from  his 
companions,  but  Maritza  was  quick  to  perceive  that 
there  was  a  half-concealed  smile  on  the  faces  of  some  of 
the  men  near  him  when  she  pretended  not  to  recognize 
him.  Perhap  Vasilici  saw  the  smile,  too,  for,  although 
his  face  darkened,  he  answered  the  question  without 
any  sudden  outburst  of  anger. 

"Greeting,"  said  Maritza.  "I  would  be  seated  while 
I  talk.  The  journey  which  I  have  undertaken  into  these 
hills  has  been  a  hurried  one  over  a  rough  road;  and, 
besides,  it  is  not  usual  for  a  sovereign  to  stand  in  the 
presence  of  her  subjects." 

Vasilici  burst  into  a  loud  laugh,  which  found  an  echo 
among  many  of  his  followers,  but  not  all.  Even  while 
he  laughed,  and  before  he  could  say  a  word  to  prevent 
it,  one  man  had  stepped  forward  and  placed  a  rough 
stool  beside  Maritza. 

"Carry  it  nearer,  Anton;  that  will  do."  And  then 
she  seated  herself,  Anton  standing  behind  her. 

"Thus  we  can  talk  more  easily,"  she  said  after  a 
18 


274  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

pause.  "Are  all  your  leading  men  here,  Vasilici — all 
those  who  form  your  council?  for  what  I  have  to  say 
concerns  all. " 

"  In  these  hills  my  will  is  law,"  was  the  answer. 

"So  long  as  you  please  your  followers,  or  the  majority 
of  them;  I  understand,"  Maritza  said  quickly.  "Abso- 
lute power  lies  in  the  pleasure,  or  the  fear,  of  the  majority." 

"Not  here,"  said  the  chief,  raising  his  voice  angrily. 
"  I  alone  am  the  law." 

"Then  indeed  are  you  great  among  the  kings  of 
the"  earth." 

Her  question  had  forced  him  to  exalt  himself,  and 
this  was  not  pleasing  to  all  those  who  stood  about  him. 

"What  you  have  to  say,  say  quickly,"  Vasilici  went 
on.  "The  death  of  good  comrades  lies  at  your  door, 
and  punishment  is  swift  here.  We  move  too  rapidly  to 
burden  ourselves  with  prisoners.* 

"  I  will  be  brief,"  said  Maritza.  "  For  a  long  time  you 
have  been  intriguing  with  Queen  Elena,  through  a  servant 
of  hers,  one  Jules  de  Froilette.  By  him  you  have  been 
told  to  expect  a  certain  token  from  her  Majesty,  upon  the 
receipt  of  which  you  were  to  sweep  down  upon  Sturatz- 
berg,  join  yourselves  with  those  who  espoused  her  cause 
in  the  city,  and  set  her  alone  upon  the  throne  of  Wallaria. 
That  token  was  brought  to  you  by  Captain  Ellerey." 

"It  is  a  lie,"  Vasilici  burst  out,  "and  you  know  it. 
He  delivered  the  golden  cross,  the  sign  of  your  house, 
if  indeed  you  be  the  Princess  Maritza  as  you  say." 

"Captain  Ellerey  brought  the  Queen's  token,"  Ma- 
ritza went  on  quietly,  as  though  there  had  been  no  inter- 
ruption, "and  delivered  it  as  he  supposed.  He  was  as 
astonished  to  see  the  golden  cross  as  you  were." 

"Then  you— 

"Yes,  I  changed  them.     There  is  the  proof."     And 


IN  VASILICI'S  STRONGHOLD  275 

she  tossed  the  sealed  box  carelessly  into  Vasilici's  hands. 
He  cut  it  open  quickly,  while  dead  silence  reigned  around 
him,  and  then  held  up  the  bracelet  of  medallions  that 
everyone  might  see. 

"By  this  message  you  accuse  yourself,"  cried  the 
brigand,  standing  at  his  full  height.  "Now,  hear  your 
punishment." 

"Wait!"  said  Maritza;  "there  is  more  to  tell." 

Absolute  as  he  had  proclaimed  himself  to  be,  Vasilici 
nevertheless  glanced  at  those  about  him  and,  seeing  that 
they  were  inclined  to  hear  all  the  Princess  had  to  say, 
waved  his  hand  for  her  to  continue.  The  fact  that  the 
chief  was  not  quite  so  strong  as  he  said  was  not  lost  on 
Maritza. 

"It  is  true  that  I  changed  the  token,"  she  went  on, 
not  addressing  herself  especially  to  Vasilici,  "and  if  I 
had  a  hope  that  there  might  be  men  loyal  to  me  in  these 
hills,  for  so  this  miserable  scoundrel  De  Froilette  has 
told  me,  that  was  not  my  only  reason  for  changing  it. 
De  Froilette  never  told  you  that  there  was  a  time  when 
he  espoused  my  cause ;  he  has  never  said  how  he  would 
come  fawning  to  me  to-morrow  were  it  in  his  own  interests 
to  do  so;  he  has  never  explained  what  is  to  follow  your 
devotion  to  the  Queen.  Rewards,  place,  honor,  he  has 
promised  them  all;  yet  on  the  frontier  at  this  moment 
lies  a  Russian  army  only  waiting  this  De  Froilette 's  word 
to  enter  Wallaria  and  secure  every  benefit  which  you  have 
pledged  yourselves  to  fight  for." 

"  The  proof !    The  proof ! "  shouted  many  voices. 

"What  proof  can  I  carry  of  such  a  scheme?  Send 
for  De  Froilette  on  some  pretext  or  other  and  question 
him,  or  send  to  the  frontier  and  spy  upon  the  army  that 
waits  there.  You  have  the  Queen's  token;  I  have 
delivered  it.  Go  out  and  meet  the  King's  army,  which 


276  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

lies  ready  to  contest  your  way  to  Sturatzberg,  if  you 
will,  but  remember  this :  if  you  win  your  way  to  the  city, 
if  you  succeed  in  overthrowing  the  present  Government 
and  setting  Queen  Elena  alone  upon  the  throne,  you  will 
not  have  advanced  the  cause  of  your  country  one  step. 
You  will  be  forgotten  as  soon  as  your  work  is  done,  and 
be  under  the  firm  hand  of  the  Muscovite.  You  will  have 
fought  your  enemies'  battle  for  them  and  sold  yourselves 
into  slavery.  You  will  have  played  into  the  hands  of 
this  Frenchman,  De  Froilette,  who  is  serving  his  own 
ends  only,  who  cares  nothing  for  Wallaria,  whose  reward 
lies  ready  for  payment  in  Russian  coffers,  who  is  as 
false  to  Queen  Elena  and  to  you  as  he  has  been  to  me." 

There  was  a  low  murmur  among  the  eager  crowd 
as  Maritza  stopped  abruptly,  and  those  sitting  and 
standing  near  Vasilici  turned  to  one  another  and  whis- 
pered together.  Whatever  hopes  lay  in  the  hearts  of 
these  men,  selfish  hopes  for  the  most  part,  perhaps,  yet 
with  some  patriotism  in  them,  too,  it  was  evident  that 
the  accusation  against  De  Froilette  was  not  entirely  a 
surprise.  There  were  men  there  who  had  never  trusted 
him,  and  Maritza  recognized  that  her  words  were  not 
without  weight.  While  they  still  whispered,  and  even 
grew  quarrelsome  over  their  opinions,  she  rose  from  her 
seat. 

"For  a  long  time  I  have  been  in  Sturatzberg  watch- 
ing events,"  she  said,  raising  her  voice  a  little  and  obtain- 
ing instant  attention.  "There  are  many  there  who  love 
my  cause,  some  because  of  my  right,  some  because  they 
have  learnt  that  Wallaria  is  merely  the  plaything  of  the 
nations.  Are  there  not  here  about  me  many  who  love 
their  country,  who  have  fled  from  tyranny  to  the  freedom 
of  these  hills,  not  to  defy  just  laws,  but  to  withstand 
oppression  ?  I  tell  them  that  Queen  Elena's  promises 


IN  VASILICFS  STRONGHOLD  277 

are  valueless.  I  tell  them  that  every  move  the  Queen 
has  made  is  known  in  Sturatzberg,  discounted  and 
guarded  against  by  the  Ministers  of  foreign  powers  who 
rule  the  King.  I  tell  them  that  the  token  of  the  bracelet 
of  medallions  has  no  power  to  help  them  to  freedom, 
that  from  first  to  last  they  have  been  deceived.  I  might 
point  to  the  golden  cross  and  tell  them  that  it  is  the  sign 
of  this  country's  salvation;  but  Vasilici,  who  stands  for 
chief  among  you,  has  spurned  it.  I  might  stand  here  and 
cry  to  you  that  he  is  no  chief  worthy  to  lead  an  army  of 
patriots,  that  there  is  another  now  among  you  whose 
right  it  is  to  lead,  who  has  the  power  to  win  success; 
but  men  who  bow  to  windy  words  are  no  countrymen  of 
mine,  and  I  scorn  to  tempt  them  to  such  false  loyalty. 
Judge  for  yourselves  and  choose.  There  stands  Vasilici, 
a  brigand,  King  of  these  hills ;  and  here  stand  I,  Maritza, 
Princess,  daughter  of  Wallarian  kings,  come  among  you 
of  her  own  free  will.  I  promise  you  not  success,  that 
knowledge  is  in  the  mind  of  God  only;  but  this  I  do 
promise:  I  will  lead  you  toward  success,  and,  if  we  fail, 
die  fighting  in  the  midst  of  you.  Choose,  therefore, 
Maritza  or  Vasilici." 

The  stroke  was  a  bold  one.  Brave  men  could  under- 
stand the  daring  of  flinging  down  such  a  challenge  to  a 
man  like  Vasilici,  here  in  his  own  stronghold.  It  appealed 
in  a  manner  that  nothing  else  she  could  have  done  would 
have  appealed,  and  she  enhanced  the  force  of  her  words 
by  her  apparent  indifference  as  to  what  their  decision 
might  be.  She  resumed  her  seat  as  abruptly  as  she  had 
risen  from  it,  and  beckoned  Anton  to  approach  her. 

"  Princess ! "  There  was  reverence  in  his  tone  as  he 
bowed  before  her. 

"  Listen,"  she  said  quickly.  "  You  marked  well  the 
way  we  came  ?  " 


278  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"Yes,  Princess." 

"  There  is  division  among  them,  and  for  the  present 
we  are  safe,  perhaps,  but  the  issue  is  doubtful.  If  they 
decide  to  hold  me  prisoner  for  a  while,  if  their  decision 
be  anything  short  of  making  me  their  leader,  take  the 
first  opportunity  to  escape  back  to  Sturatzberg  as  swiftly 
as  you  can,  and  tell  them  what  has  happened  in  the  hills. 
Wherever  there  is  a  man  who  loves  me,  tell  him  the  story, 
tell  Cou-ntess  Mavrodin,  tell  Captain  Ellerey  if  he  be  in 
the  city.  Give  me  but  a  score  of  men  to  shout  my  cause, 
and  there  are  many  here  who  will  gladly  add  their  voices 
to  such  an  acclamation.  Tell  them  that." 

No  shout,  not  a  murmur,  even,  had  followed  Maritza's 
challenge.  Those  who  hated  her  most  were  astonished 
into  silence.  Vasilici's  face  grew  a  shade  more  savage, 
but  he  was  quick  to  note  that  the  Princess  had  not  ap- 
pealed altogether  in  vain.  He  did  not  turn  to  those 
about  him  at  once  and  mock  her  pretensions.  It  was  not 
the  moment  to  assert  an  authority  which  he  well  knew 
some  of  those  with  him  in  the  hills  resented.  For  a 
time  he  made  no  effort  to  suppress  the  whisperings  on 
all  sides;  he  had  to  determine  on  some  counter-stroke. 
Suddenly  he  turned  toward  Maritza — 

"Princess,"  he  said,  "I  love  a  courageous  foe.  All 
here  shall  be  your  judges,  not  I." 

"  I  am  content,"  she  answered. 

At  a  sign  from  the  chief,  food  and  wine  were  brought 
to  her,  while  the  brigands  gathered  together  and  listened 
eagerly  to  this  counsel  and  to  that.  There  were  many 
who,  like  Vasilici,  had  taken  to  the  hills  merely  to  swoop 
down  upon  the  defenceless  for  pillage  and  for  ransom, 
who  cared  nothing  who  might  sit  upon  the  throne  in 
Sturatzberg,  and  among  these  there  was  a  certain  re- 
sentment that  latterly  there  had  come  a  change  into  the 


IN  VASILICI'S  STRONGHOLD  279 

councils,  that  the  organization  was  in  danger  of  growing 
into  a  political  one.  What  rewards  in  the  city  could 
compensate  for  the  loss  of  their  freedom  in  the  hills  ? 
This  faction  was  strong,  but  hardly  strong  enough  to 
make  it  possible  for  Vasilici  to  break  with  his  other 
followers.  The  chief  knew  it  was  the  time  for  plausible 
arguments  rather  than  domineering  demands,  and  these 
he  well  knew  how  to  use.  He  listened  to  the  counsel  of 
others,  and  he  advised,  and  gradually  there  arose  a  large 
majority  in  the  camp  to  whose  decision  the  minority 
bowed  because  their  opinions  were  subtly  provided  for. 

There  was  a  smile  upon  Vasilici's  face  as  he  stood 
forward  to  speak  from  which  Maritza  argued  no  good. 

"Princess,  I  am  but  the  mouthpiece,  not  the  judge," 
he  said.  "It  is  true  that  there  are  many  political  refu- 
gees among  us  to  whom  you  appeal  personally,  even 
if  your  cause  does  not ;  but  chiefly  we  are  not  political. 
We  are  against  all  kings  and  the  laws  which  make  men 
either  rich  or  poor,  and  we  have  set  up  in  these  hills  a 
kingdom  of  our  own  of  which  I  am  at  present  the  head. 
We  take  our  living  where  we  find  it.  Such  a  leader  as 
you  would  make  should  draw  men  to  your  cause;  but 
are  they  drawn  ?  Is  there  any  real  force  in  Sturatzberg 
to  rise  and  fight  at  your  bidding  ?  We  doubt  it.  We  are 
not  patriotic  enough  to  throw  our  lives  away  upon  a 
dream.  Yet  you  may  be  right,  and  the  time  may  come 
when  the  golden  cross  will  send  us  to  fight  your  battles; 
but  that  time  is  not  yet.  We  want  more  certainty  before 
we  espouse  so  desperate  a  venture.  Those  friends  you 
have  in  the  city  yonder  should,  however,  be  strong  enough 
to  insure  your  safety  if  their  loyalty  is  as  you  say,  and 
for  them  the  time  has  come  to  prove  that  loyalty.  For 
us,  we  have  to  live.  It  has  been  decided,  therefore,  to 
hold  you  to  ransom.  We  shall  despatch  messengers  to 


280  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

the  troops  which  lie  in  the  plain,  and  for  a  price  we  shall 
deliver  you  to  them.  I  doubt  not  you  will  receive  as 
great  courtesy  from  them  as  from  us." 

Maritza  did  not  answer. 

"  You  are  content,  Princess  ?  "  said  Vasilici. 

"  I  am  disappointed,"  she  returned.  "  I  perceive  that 
they  were  only  the  cowards  who  fled  from  Sturatzberg 
to  these  hills;  the  brave  hearts  remain  in  the  city." 

"We  move  to-night,"  said  Vasilici,  turning  to  those 
about  him.  "  Let  the  messengers  start  at  once." 

"  Remember,  Anton :  to  Sturatzberg  with  all  the  speed 
you  may.  Now  leave  me  alone,"  whispered  Maritza. 

To  the  good  offices  of  the  man  who  had  shown  kind- 
ness to  the  Princess,  Anton  owed  his  ability  to  slip  past 
the  guards  as  soon  as  night  had  fallen,  and  he  had  trav- 
elled a  long  way  when  he  fell  in  with  Ellerey  and  Baron 
Petrescu's  party  at  dawn.  He  told  his  tale  quickly. 

"Only  in  Sturatzberg  can  we  help  her,"  Anton  de- 
clared. "  It  is  useless  going  forward.  She  will  certainly 
be  delivered  to  the  soldiers." 

His  counsel  prevailed,  and  they  returned  as  quickly 
as  possible  to  the  castle  in  the  hills,  taking  the  brigand 
who  had  been  their  guide  with  them.  They  could  not 
let  him  go  and  divulge  their  plans.  Before  another  dawn 
came  they  were  riding  as  swiftly  as  the  rough  way  would 
permit  in  the  direction  of  Sturatzberg. 


CHAPTER   XXIII 

THE   TEMPTATION   OF   FRINA   MAVRODIN 

LORD  CLOVERTON  pushed  his  chair  back  from  the  table, 
and  with  his  arms  folded  gazed  abstractedly  at  the  ceiling. 
Captain  Ward  sat  opposite  to  him,  turning  over  a  pile  of 
papers,  noting  their  contents,  and  placing  them  in  order. 

"De  Froilette  was  right  after  all,  Ward.  Princess 
Maritza  has  been  in  Sturatzberg." 

"And  will  be  again  almost  immediately,  now  that 
the  brigands  have  delivered  her  up.  She  is  likely  to  be 
brought  into  the  city  to-morrow,  I  understand." 

"Yes,  and  lodged  in  the  palace  under  safe  keeping, 
and  then— then,  Ward?" 

"  She  must  bear  the  consequences  of  her  folly,"  Ward 
answered.  "Has  England  any  part  to  play  in  whatever 
treatment  she  may  receive  ?  " 

"No,  I  think  not.  One  may  pity  the  woman,  but 
even  a  woman  must  pay  the  penalty  of  her  actions.  Still 
the  death  or  banishment  of  the  Princess  may  do  little 
to  relieve  the  situation;  indeed,  may  only  intensify  it. 
There  have  been  other  influences  at  work,  and  we  are 
as  ignorant  of  them  as  ever  we  were." 

"I  see  you  have  some  scheme  maturing,  my  lord," 
Ward  said  with  a  smile. 

"It  might  mature  at  once  did  I  know  what  had  be- 
come of  Captain  Ellerey.  Would  he  seize  the  opportunity 
and  escape  out  of  Wallaria,  think  you  ?  " 


282  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"Not  if  he  thought  anyone  who  had  a  right  to  his 
help  needed  it.  He  is  the  kind  of  man  who  would 
return,  no  matter  what  the  danger  might  be,"  answered 
Ward. 

"  I  believe  some  friendship  of  the  sort  does  bind  him 
to  Sturatzberg,"  said  Lord  Cloverton,  "and  I  should  be 
happier  if  he  were  in  Princess  Maritza's  company.  I 
should  know  how  to  act  then." 

The  door  opened  and  a  servant  brought  in  a  card. 

"Ah,  now  we  may  hear  news,"  said  the  Ambassador. 
"  De  Froilette,  the  timber  merchant.  Show  him  in.  You 
need  not  go,  Ward." 

De  Froilette  came  in  quickly  and  was  cordially  greeted 
by  the  Minister. 

"  My  secretary,  Captain  Ward ;  you  may  safely  speak 
before  him,  monsieur." 

"  It  is  no  secret  information  I  have  to  give,"  said  De 
Froilette.  "I  came  rather  impudently  to  give  myself 
the  pleasure  of  laughing  at  your  lordship." 

"You  have  seen  fit  to  praise  me  so  often,  monsieur, 
that  I  can  no  doubt  bear  your  ridicule  with  the  same 
equanimity  as  I  accepted  your  praise." 

"A  witty  retort  to  my  pleasantry,  my  lord.  You  did 
not  believe  me  when  I  said  Princess  Maritza  was  in 
Sturatzberg.  You  see  I  was  right." 

"Monsieur,  I  grant  your  information  was  valuable; 
my  policy  might  have  suffered  considerably  by  my  dis- 
belief. I  have  learnt  a  lesson  and  wish  to  profit  by  it. 
Can  you  tell  me  where  Captain  Ellerey  is  ?  " 

"  No,  my  lord ;  but  I  can  tell  you  where  to  watch  for 
him." 

"  You  will  help  me  by  doing  so,"  said  Cloverton. 

"In  Sturatzberg,  my  lord,"  said  De  Froilette. 

"  Do  you  imagine  he  will  return  to  the  very  centre  of 


TEMPTATION  OF  FRINA  MAVRODIN    283 

his  danger  ?  I  am  inclined  to  think  he  has  crossed  the 
hills  and  taken  the  quickest  way  out  of  Wallaria." 

"You  do  not  know  the  man,  and  you  forget  he  is 
an  Englishman,"  said  De  Froilette.  "They  are  des- 
perate fellows,  these  English  adventurers.  They  have 
no  eyes  for  danger,  and  are  lacking  that  diplomacy 
which  makes  men  feel  that  it  is  honorable  to  retreat 
sometimes.  He  is  one  of  those  who  love  their  sword 
and  would  fain  die  with  their  boots  on.  Besides,  he  is  in 
love." 

"Ah,  now  you  interest  me,  monsieur,"  Cloverton  ex- 
claimed. "I  have  been  wondering  whether  he  had  not 
some  weak  spot." 

"I  heard  him  once  speak  of  Princess  Maritza,"  De 
Froilette  went  on.  "He  had  met  her  in  England;  and 
I  read  the  story  behind  his  careless  words.  Here  in 
Sturatzberg  the  Princess  must  have  seen  him,  and  for 
love  of  her  he  espoused  her  cause.  She  is  being  brought 
to  the  city,  and  he  will  surely  follow  her.  Seize  him,  my 
lord,  and  you  nip  the  rebellion  in  the  bud." 

"You  think  so,"  said  Cloverton  reflectively. 

"I  am  certain  of  it,"  was  the  answer.  "I  am  even 
bold  enough  to  give  advice.  The  King  can  afford, to 
treat  the  Princess  leniently.  She  has  no  strong  person- 
ality to  guide  and  counsel  her;  alone  she  is  no  danger, 
or  the  brigands  would  not  have  given  her  up.  But  this 
mad  Englishman  has  the  power  to  keep  her  cause  alive. 
The  King  cannot  afford  to  pardon  him.  Kill  him,  my 
lord,  as  quickly  as  you  can.  With  her  lover  dead,  the 
Princess  will  have  no  heart  to  plot." 

"  I  think  you  are  right,  monsieur.  I  shall  advise  the 
King." 

"And  I  will  do  my  part  in  watching  for  Ellerey,"  said 
De  Frcilette. 


284  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"You  will  be  serving  the  State,  monsieur,"  said  the 
Ambassador ;  "  but  are  there  no  others  who  are  dangerous  ?  " 

The  Frenchman  was  thoughtful  for  a  moment. 

"No,  I  think  not,"  he  answered.  "There  are  some 
who  talk  loudly  in  the  back  streets,  but  their  talk  serves 
them  instead  of  fighting,  and  does  no  harm." 

"Quite  so,  monsieur;  but  I  was  not  thinking  of  them," 
Lord  Cloverton  returned.  "There  is  one  curious  feature 
in  the  situation.  The  brigands,  it  is  true,  have  played  into 
the  hands  of  the  State,  but  there  seems  little  doubt  that 
they  were  waiting  for  a  message  from  Sturatzberg  and 
were  prepared  to  act  upon  it.  They  did  not  receive  the 
message  they  expected,  and  so  became  revengeful.  Now 
what  message  did  they  expect,  and  from  whom  was  it  to 
come  ?  " 

De  Froilette  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"  Perhaps  Captain  Ellerey  betrayed  his  trust  and  deliv- 
ered the  wrong  message,"  suggested  the  Ambassador. 

De  Froilette  looked  at  him  in  astonishment. 

"By  doing  so  he  may  have  unconsciously  served  the 
State,"  Lord  Cloverton  continued,  "and  perhaps — of 
course,  monsieur,  one  has  to  guess  rather  wildly  some- 
times— perhaps  balked  the  intentions  of  those  Russian 
troops  which,  for  no  apparent  reason,  have  been  gathering 
on  the  frontier." 

Then  De  Froilette  laughed. 

"You  are  prepared  for  all  emergencies,  my  lord;  it  is 
wonderful,  your  foresight ;  but  I  conceive  that  you  are  mak- 
ing something  out  of  nothing.  The  diplomatic  brain  is  so 
fertile  it  surpasses  me." 

"It  is  a  soil  which  so  many  persons  throw  seed  into, 
monsieur,"  was  the  answer.  "Those  who  deal  in  timber 
are  not  the  only  merchants  who  scent  danger  to  their  inter- 
ests in  the  political  ferment  of  the  times.  But  your  advice 


TEMPTATION  OF  FRINA  MAVRODIN    285 

is  good;  I  shall  advise  the  King.  When  Captain  Ellerey 
comes  he  may  tell  us  more."  And  the  Ambassador  rose, 
putting  an  end  to  the  interview. 

When  the  door  had  closed  upon  the  Frenchman  he  re- 
sumed his  scat  and  smiled  benignantly.  The  smile  invited 
comment  from  his  companion. 

"  Personal  enmity  as  regards  Ellerey,"  said  Ward,  "  and 
astonishment  at  your  accurate  knowledge." 

The  Ambassador  nodded. 

"  He  should  be  watched,"  said  Ward. 

"  That  is  no  longer  necessary,"  was  the  quick  answer. 
"  Whatever  power  he  may  have  had  is  gone.  He  is  chiefly 
concerned  about  his  own  skin  nowadays,  and  it  would  not 
surprise  me  to  hear  that  business  had  suddenly  called  him 
away  from  Sturatzberg.  Still,  I  thank  him  for  giving  me 
an  idea.  I  shall  see  the  King." 

De  Froilette  went  quickly  back  to  the  Altstrasse,  and  it 
would  appear  that  Captain  Ward's  estimate  of  his  attitude 
was  near  the  truth.  He  sent  for  Fra^ois  at  once. 

'  The  net  is  being  drawn  in,  Fra^ois,"  he  said. 

"  Are  we  within  it  ?  " 

"  We  shall  easily  escape,"  was  the  answer.  "  Is  every- 
thing ready  to  depart  at  a  moment's  notice  ?  " 

"Yes,  monsieur." 

"  Good.     You  carry  a  revolver,  Fra^ois  ?  " 

The  man  showed  it  to  him. 

"  Good  again.  Captain  Ellerey  will  return  to  Sturatz- 
berg— may  have  done  so  already.  That  he  has  played 
us  false  we  know,  that  he  can  give  evidence  against  us  is 
certain.  Revenge  and  safety,  therefore,  lie  in  the  same  di- 
rection. Watch  for  him,  Fra^ois,  as  I  shall,  and  silence 
him. 

"  And  his  servant  ?  "  asked  the  man. 

"  If  your  private  quarrel  with  the  servant  leads  you  to  do 


286  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

so,  no  harm  will  be  done."  And  with  a  wave  of  the  hand 
he  dismissed  him. 

The  news  that  Princess  Maritza  was  in  the  hands  of  the 
.King's  troops  and  was  being  brought  to  Sturatzberg  had 
reached  the  city  early  that  morning,  but  the  news  was  not 
immediately  known  to  Frina  Mavrodin.  It  was  being  con- 
veyed to  her  by  a  trusted  messenger  who  had  much  to  do  on 
his  way,  and  the  fact  that  she  had  lately  kept  much  at  home 
accounted  for  her  not  hearing  it  from  any  other  source. 

The  days  of  waiting  are  ever  the  longest  days  to  live 
through,  and  the  hours  had  dragged  heavily  for  Frina  Ma- 
vrodin since  Baron  Petrescu  had  started  for  the  hills .  Hard- 
ly anyone  saw  her  except  Hannah,  and  the  old  serving  wom- 
an pitied  her,  judging  her  distress  by  her  own.  She  little 
knew  the  terrible  struggle  which  raged  in  the  breast  of  this 
beautiful  woman,  how  all  that  was  good  and  bad  in  her,  all 
those  latent  forces  which  lie  in  the  heart  of  everyone,  sprang 
into  life  and  fought  equally  for  the  mastery.  It  was  not  the 
Princess  who  was  first  in  her  thoughts  from  dawn  to  dark, 
or  whose  image  passed  incessantly  through  her  restless 
dreams.  It  was  the  man  who  was  beside  the  Princess,  who 
had  fought  desperately  for  her  whether  he  loved  her  cause 
or  not,  who  was  hourly  under  the  spell  of  her  enchantment. 
The  potency  of  that  spell  seemed  to  grow  the  more  she 
thought  of  it,  and  all  the  charm  which  some  had  professed 
to  find  in  herself  seemed  to  sink  into  insignificance.  It  was 
not  sufficient  to  win  the  love  of  this  man.  And  those  wait- 
ing hours,  too,  are  hours  of  danger.  Troubles  or  desires, 
or  whatever  thoughts  assail  at  such  a  time,  lose  their  pro- 
portion, and  idleness  lends  vitality  to  the  evil  lying  dormant. 
Was  there  no  way  to  win  her  desire  ?  Between  it  and  her 
stood  only  the  Princess,  an  enemy  to  the  State.  Might  she 
not  be  swept  out  of  the  way?  How  easy  such  a  thing 
seemed  to  be.  She  had  only  to  speak  a  few  words  to  dash 


TEMPTATION  OF  FRINA  MAVRODIN     287 

to  the  ground  all  Maritza's  hopes  of  success.  Why  not 
speak  them  ?  In  love  and  war  all  means  are  fair.  And 
then  arose  the  good  in  her,  and  she  turned  away  in  horror 
from  the  very  thought  of  such  treachery. 

It  was  in  a  fierce  moment  of  her  struggle  that  the  mes- 
senger arrived.  Dumitru,  travel-stained  yet  unweary, 
more  keenly  alive  now  perhaps  than  he  had  even  been  as 
Anton  in  the  hills,  came  to  her. 

"  What  news  ?     What  news  ?  "  she  cried,  springing  up. 

"  The  worst,  Countess." 

"Dead?" 

"  No;  the  Princess  lives." 

"  Yes,  yes ;  and  those  who  are  with  her  ?  " 

"Are  on  their  way  to  the  city,"  Dumitru  answered. 
"  We  could  not  enter  openly ;  we  had  to  delay,  and  exercise 
the  greatest  care.  Baron  Petrescu  will  come  to-night  if 
possible,  but  extreme  caution  is  needed.  I  came  on.  I  am 
of  no  importance  and  pass  unnoticed.  I  have  visited  a 
score  of  places  in  the  city  already,  and  I  have  much  more  to 
do  before  sunset." 

"  Does  Captain  Ellerey  return  to  Sturatzberg  ?  "  asked 
Frina  thoughtfully. 

"  Aye ;  and  he  is  a  man  whose  equal  these  eyes  are  never 
likely  to  see  again.  He  is  fit  to  be  a  king." 

"A  king!" 

"  Yes,  a  king,  and  though  he  be  a  foreigner,  I  for  one 
shout  for  him." 

"  A  king,  Dumitru ;  tell  me,  does  he  love  the  Princess  ?  " 

"  Surely  he  must,  since  for  her  cause  he  has  shown  no 
great  affection.  He  will  be  here  to  strike  one  more  good 
blow  for  her,  and,  loving  her,  may  learn  to  love  her  cause 
too.  We  may  yet  triumph,  Countess.  But  listen.  The 
Princess  has  been  delivered  by  the  brigands,"  and  Dumitru 
told  her  the  whole  story  quickly. 


£88  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  To-night  she  will  be  brought  back  to  Sturatzberg,"  he 
went  on,  "  although  it  is  given  out  that  she  will  not  come 
until  the  morning.  The  gates  will  be  shut,  and  when  the 
streets  are  quiet  they  will  be  opened  again.  Not  many  sol- 
diers are  with  h«r,  and  those  within  the  gates  will  hold  all 
danger  cheap.  The  city  will  be  hushed  and  still,  but  there 
are  many  wTho  will  not  sleep.  A  signal  will  blaze  forth  in 
the  darkness  and  a  few  may  fall  in  the  streets,  but  the 
Princess  will  be  free.  You  will  be  ready  to  receive  her, 
Countess  ?  " 

"Here?" 

"  Is  it  not  the  safest  refuge  in  Sturatzberg  ?  "  asked  Du- 
mitru.  "  There  arc  hiding-places  here,  and  you  are  not  a 
suspect  in  the  city." 

"  And  afterward  ?  "  said  the  Countess. 

"I  know  not.  A  small  success  in  the  city  would  per- 
haps raise  the  country;  the  afterward  is  for  the  Princess 
to  decide.  She  will  have  to  consider  the  welfare  of  those 
who  strike  to-night.  You  will  be  ready  to  receive  her, 
Countess  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  Frina  answered,  and  Dumitru  went  to  pursue 
his  way  through  the  city,  calling  men  to  arm  and  prepare, 
little  dreaming  what  thoughts  troubled  the  beautiful  wom- 
an he  had  left. 

The  frail  little  hopes  she  had  found  consolation  in  van- 
ished at  Dumitru's  words.  Desmond  Ellerey  loved  Ma- 
ritza.  Dumitru  had  said  it,  and  had  he  not  had  ample 
opportunity  of  judging?  Now  Maritza  was  to  come  a 
fugitive  to  her  house ;  her  very  life  perhaps  lay  in  her  hands. 
How  easy  it  would  be  to  speak  the  few  words  which  would 
tell  her  enemies  where  she  was  hidden,  and  who  would 
know,  who  would  guess,  that  it  was  the  Countess  Mavrodin 
who  had  betrayed  her  ?  Such  specious  arguments  did  the 
evil  that  was  in  her  whisper  in  her  ear,  and  she  could  not 


TEMPTATION  OF  FRINA  MAVRODIN    289 

shut  the  whisperings  out.  All  day  long  her  restlessness 
increased.  Her  solitude  became  unbearable.  She  longed 
for  the  world  of  men  and  women,  hungered  to  hear  laugh- 
ter and  the  sound  of  voices — anything  to  distract  her  from 
her  thoughts.  That  evening  she  went  to  Court,  beautiful, 
reckless,  heartless  to  all  seeming,  ready  to  be  flattered  and 
to  flatter — a  dangerous  mood  for  such  a  woman  to  be  in. 

So,  all  unconsciously,  she  was  driven  forward  by  destiny. 
She  was  in  a  mood  to  be  tempted,  and  the  greatest  tempta- 
tion of  all  was  lying  in  wait  for  her. 

She  had  shown  such  marked  preference  for  Captain 
Ellerey  when  he  came  to  Court  that  a  host  of  her  admirers 
had  perforce  to  stand  sullenly  aside.  To-night  they  gath- 
ered round  her,  each  one  in  his  turn  receiving  some  little 
favor  which  buried  in  oblivion  all  past  disappointments; 
such  virtue  lies  even  in  the  least  of  a  beautiful  woman's 
favors.  Frina  Mavrodin  had  always  had  the  subtle  power 
of  making  her  companion  of  the  moment  believe  that  he 
was  the  one  person  in  all  the  world  she  would  wish  to  have 
beside  her,  and  this  power  she  exercised  to  the  full  to- 
night. 

Lord  Cloverton,  covertly  watching  her,  was  constrained 
to  admire  her,  and  even  his  old  blood  tingled  with  a  remem- 
brance of  youth  as  he  did  so.  But  he  did  not  approach  her. 
It  was  not  his  part  to  play  the  tempter  to-night.  He  had 
arranged  otherwise.  Presently  he  saw  the  King  enter  the 
room  alone,  and  look  round  in  search  of  some  one.  His  eye 
fell  upon  Frina  Mavrodin,  and  he  went  toward  her.  Per- 
haps, too,  in  his  veins  the  blood  tingled  a  little. 

"  An  hour  of  ease  which  so  seldom  falls  to  me  renews  my 
strength  to-night,  Countess,  and  youth  and  beauty  draw 
me  like  a  lodestone,"  said  the  King. 

"  Your  Majesty  is  pleased  to  flatter  me,"  she  answered 
with  a  sweeping  curtsey. 


£90  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"That  would  indeed  be  impossible.  I  am  honored, 
doubly  so,  if  you  will  take  my  hand  in  the  dance." 

It  was  a  set  dance,  stately  in  its  measure,  and  those  who 
watched  remarked  how  the  grace  of  the  woman  seemed  to 
lend  grace  to  the  King's  movements,  who  danced  but  sel- 
dom, and  that,  in  truth,  somewhat  awkwardly. 

The  King  thanked  her  as  he  led  her  to  a  seat  when  the 
dance  was  over.  It  was  in  the  alcove  where  she  had  so 
often  sat  with  Ellerey,  and  the  coincidence  impressed 
her. 

"  There  should  be  brighter  times  at  hand  for  Wallaria, 
Countess,"  said  the  King.  "The  Princess  Maritza  will 
enter  Sturatzberg — a  prisoner — to-morrow." 

"  So  I  have  heard,  your  Majesty." 

"  And  you  loyally  rejoice  with  us,  Countess  ?  " 

The  question  was  so  marked  in  the  intonation  of  the 
King's  voice  that  Frina  Mavrodin  was  on  her  guard  in  a 
moment. 

"  She  is  a  woman,  your  Majesty,  and,  since  I  am  no  poli- 
tician, I  pity  the  woman." 

"I  am  not  without  pity,  either,  Countess,"  was  the  an- 
swer. "The  Princess  has  been  ill-advised,  and  the  onus 
lies  with  those  who  have  advised  and  supported  her.  It  is 
upon  them  punishment  should  rightly  fall." 

"  Aad  who  are  they  ?  "  asked  the  Countess. 

"  That  is  a  question  to  which  there  is  no  complete  an- 
swer," said  the  King.  "  There  is  only  one  I  can  name  defi- 
nitely. But  there  is  one  person  in  Sturatzberg  who  could 
answer  the  question,  so  I  am  informed,  and  so  I  believe." 

"  And  he  will  not  answer  ?  " 

"  She  has  not  yet  been  asked,"  the  King  returned. 

"  A  woman,  your  Majesty  ?  " 

"  A  very  beautiful  woman ;  yourself,  Countess." 

Perhaps  Frina  Mavrodin  was  prepared  for  the  King's 


TEMPTATION  OF  FRINA  MAVRODIN    291 

words.  She  did  not  start,  the  color  did  not  rise  to  her 
cheeks.  She  remained  silent  for  a  few  moments,  feeling 
that  the  King's  eyes  were  fixed  upon  her. 

"  I  can  guess  who  was  your  Majesty's  informant,"  she 
said  quietly.  "Lord  Cloverton.  He  has  always  credited 
me  with  a  power  I  do  not  possess,  and  has  often  set  traps 
for  me.  They  were  subtly  hidden,  well  devised  to  catch  a 
schemer;  but,  being  innocent,  they  failed  to  ensnare  me." 

"We  ourselves  have  eyes,  Countess;  it  is  not  necessary 
that  the  British  Ambassador  should  see  for  us." 

"  No,  your  Majesty ;  but  we,  the  Court,  sometimes  fancy 
that  he  attempts  to  take  that  duty  upon  himself,"  Frina 
answered. 

"  Then  you  will  not  help  me,  Countess  ?  "  said  the  King 
with  a  smile. 

"  In  any  way  I  can,  your  Majesty." 

"  But  not  in  the  way  I  want.  It  is  a  pity.  You  will 
force  me  to  harsh  measures.  There  is  one  other  I  may  con- 
strain to  tell  me,  unless  he  values  his  secret  more  than  life." 

Frina  looked  at  him,  a  question  in  her  eyes,  but  her  lips 
gave  it  no  words. 

"A  brave  man,"  said  the  King,  "although  circum- 
stances have  made  him  my  enemy.  You  might  save  him." 

Still  Frina  was  silent. 

"  Probably  Captain  Ellerey  will  not  speak,  therefore  it 
is  certain  that  Captain  Ellerey  must  die,"  said  the  King 
slowly. 

"  Is  he  in  Sturatzberg  ?  " 

"Ah,  Countess,  you  must  not  try  and  surprise  my 
secrets;  but  rest  assured  he  must  die  unless  you  choose 
to  save  him." 

"  How  can  I  save  him  ?  "  she  asked. 

The  King  suddenly  laid  his  hand  on  hers,  which  were 
folded  in  her  lap. 


*92  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"To-morrow,  early,  send  me  by  a  trusted  messenger 
the  names  of  those  who  are  foremost  in  Maritza's  cause,  the 
names  of  the  societies  whose  plans  and  aims  they  govern, 
and,  so  far  as  is  in  your  knowledge,  the  plans  which  they 
have  formed.  On  my  royal  oath,  none  shall  know  from 
whom  I  received  this  information,  and  Captain  Ellerey  shall 
be  free  to  leave  Wallaria." 

"  He  is  a  brave  man,  and  I  would  help  him  if  I  could," 
she  said. 

"  You  can,  Countess ;  if  you  love  him,  you  will." 

"Your  Majesty  is  strangely  at  fault;  Captain  Ellerey 
is  nothing  to  me." 

"  I  have  touched  your  hand,  Countess,  as  you  asked  a 
question  concerning  him,  and  felt  the  quiver  in  your  frame. 
Your  heart  would  not  answer  as  your  lips  do.  Remember 
this:  he  dies  unless  you  save  him." 

"  But  I  am  powerless,  your  Majesty." 

"Then,  Countess,  his  case  is  hard  indeed.  There  are 
some  hours  before  to-morrow ;  use  them  to  understand  how 
powerful  you  are  in  this  matter." 

"  So  far  I  will  obey  your  Majesty." 

"Always  remembering,  Countess,  that  if  you  cannot 
save  him  no  power  on  earth  can;"  and,  with  a  bow,  the 
King  left  her  alone. 

Here  was  the  opportunity  she  had  dreamed  of.  No 
one  would  ever  know.  What  to  her  were  Princess  Ma- 
ritza  and  all  her  followers  in  comparison  with  Desmond 
Ellerey  ?  There. was  a  look  of  determination  in  her  face  as 
she  left  the  alcove  quickly.  The  few  hours  before  to- 
morrow seemed  all  too  short  for  her. 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

HOW   MARITZA    ENTERED    STURATZBERG 

IT  was  a  dark  night  without  a  moon,  and  only  a  faint  star 
or  two  glimmered  in  the  sky.  The  smell  of  rain  was  in  the 
air,  and  there  was  a  closeness  in  the  atmosphere  which 
made  the  effort  of  breathing  a  conscious  one.  It  was  still 
early  as  Frina  Mavrodin  was  driven  rapidly  homeward. 
She  left  the  palace  immediately  after  her  conversation  with 
the  King.  The  few  hours  before  to-morrow  were  best 
spent  alone.  A  wild  confusion  of  thoughts  surged  through 
her  brain,  but  one  thought  was  ever  dominant — how  could 
she  save  Desmond  Ellerey  without  betraying  others  ?  For 
while  the  King's  suggestion  was  a  subtle  and  potent  temp- 
tation, it  had  the  effect  of  steadying  the  Countess.  Such 
an  idea  as  a  wholesale  betrayal  of  those  who  had  trusted 
her  had  never  occurred  to  her;  her  only  thought  had  been 
how  to  raise  a  barrier  between  Maritza  and  Desmond  El- 
lerey, how  to  act  so  that  they  might  be  effectually  separated 
forever.  Such  plans  as  had  come  into  her  mind  may  have 
been  mean  and  unworthy,  but  the  circumstances  had  ex- 
cused them.  The  King's  words  had  robbed  them  of  all 
excuse,  had  shown  her  that  base  treachery  belonged  to 
them  as  surely  as  to  the  larger  scheme  which  he  had  sug- 
gested. It  did  not  occur  to  her  to  blame  him  for  the  sug- 
gestion; politically,  perhaps,  he  was  justified;  but  that  he 
could  believe  her  capable  of  such  treachery  showed  her 
that,  between  her  private  jealousy  and  her  political  posi- 


294  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

tion,  there  was  no  room  to  draw  even  the  finest  of  lines.  So 
the  few  hours  before  to-morrow  were  not  to  be  used,  as  the 
King  supposed,  in  a  struggle  between  her  honor  and  her 
desire,  but  in  concentrated  thought  of  how  his  Majesty 
might  be  outwitted.  Desmond  Ellerey  must  be  saved,  but 
neither  the  Princess  nor  her  followers  must  be  sacrificed  to 
save  him.  Her  own  desire  must  stand  aside,  whatever  the 
suffering  might  be.  Thus,  through  the  fierce  fire  of  temp- 
tation Frina  Mavrodin  came  forth  a  stronger  woman,  a 
keener  slave  to  duty,  because  that  duty  must  cost  her  so 
much.  And  having  shaken  herself  free  from  the  fetters  of 
selfishness,  her  thoughts  and  conceptions  became  more 
acute. 

It  was  hardly  possible  that  Desmond  Ellerey  had  yet 
returned  to  Sturatzberg.  No  one  could  know  his  move- 
ments better  than  Dumitru,  and  he  had  shown  no  fear  con- 
cerning him.  Even  if  the  King  possessed  information 
which  might  point  to  the  probability  of  his  arrest,  Ellerey's 
courage  and  resourcefulness  were  factors  to  be  reckoned 
with  before  his  arrest  could  become  an  accomplished  fact. 
That  in  Maritza's  defence  he  might  prove  reckless  was  true, 
but  he  would  hardly  do  so  until  every  other  means  had 
failed.  No;  the  King  had  played  upon  her  fears,  and  she 
had  fallen  a  victim  to  his  cunning.  She  had  plainly  shown 
that  Ellerey  was  dear  to  her,  that  she  was  prepared  to  sac- 
rifice much  to  secure  his  safety;  she  had,  moreover,  given 
the  impression  that  she  could  betray  many  in  Sturatzberg 
if  she  would,  and  therefore,  should  the  rescue  of  Maritza 
prove  successful,  she  herself,  and  her  house,  and  all  who 
belonged  to  her  would  be  closely  watched.  She  had,  in 
fact,  undone  what  she  had  so  persistently  taken  pains  to 
accomplish;  she  had  given  cause  for  suspicion;  she  had 
rendered  her  house  by  the  river  an  unsafe  place  of  refuge. 
How  was  she  to  retrieve  the  position  ? 


HOW  MARITZA  ENTERED  STURATZBERG    295 

Entering  her  house  she  gave  rapid  instructions  to  cer- 
tain of  her  servants,  and  then  went  to  her  own  rooms  and 
sent  for  Hannah.  The  old  serving  woman  came  quickly, 
and  to  her  Frina  made  her  first  confession. 

"I  have  been  cross,  Hannah,  sometimes,"  she  said; 
"forgive  me." 

"  Oh,  no,  my  lady,  you  have  only  been  troubled.  We 
all  have  our  own  way  of  showing  grief." 

"True,  Hannah,  and  I  have  had  troubles  which  you 
cannot  know  of.  Your  quick  pardon  teaches  me  a  lesson." 

"  O  my  lady ' 

"  Listen,  Hannah,  there  is  much  to  do  and  little  time  to 
do  it  in.  To-night,  perhaps,  the  Princess  will  return." 

"  Here ! "  Hannah  exclaimed. 

"Yes;  but  she  will  be  a  fugitive  from  her  enemies,  and 
how  long  this  house  may  be  a  safe  refuge  for  her  I  can- 
not tell.  Come  with  me.  I  will  show  you  a  means  of 
escape  should  the  worst  happen — a  stout  door  which  will 
hold  back  pursuers  for  a  long  time.  It  opens  from  a  room 
which  shall  be  yours  for  the  time.  The  key  shall  be  in  your 
possession.  Study  to  look  innocent,  Hannah,  when  you 
are  questioned,  and  in  a  crucial  moment  you  may  prove  a 
far  better  defence  than  a  dozen  armed  men.  Come. " 

As  Frina  Mavrodin  had  driven  through  the  city  there 
were  many  people  in  the  streets.  The  cafes  were  still  full,  and 
there  were  no  signs  of  any  unusual  excitement.  A  few  may 
have  discussed  Princess  Maritza  over  their  coffee,  liquor, 
or  syrup,  but  in  most  cases  it  was  with  casual  interest,  or 
with  a  remark  that,  if  they"  were  abroad  early  enough,  they 
might  walk  down  to  the  Southern  Gate  to  see  her  enter." 
What  had  her  fate  to  do  with  them  ?  Though  the  times 
were  troublous  they  would  go  their  way  to-morrow  as  they 
had  done  to-day,  as  they  would  every  day  until  their 
own  small  circle  of  interest  were  touched.  They  had  as 


296  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

little  sympathy  with  the  agitator  as  they  had  with  the  Gov- 
ernment; neither  the  one  nor  the  other  did  anything  to 
affect  them  materially.  So  these  law-abiding  citizens,  law- 
abiding  only  because  there  was  no  temptation  to  be  other- 
wise, perhaps,  finished  their  coffee  and  went  home,  and  the 
streets  of  Sturatzberg  grew  quieter,  and,  with  the  closing  of 
the  cafes,  darker.  The  city  gates  were  shut,  and  if  a  few 
soldiers  appeared  at  the  corners  of  streets,  they  caused 
little  interest  to  the  people  going  home.  Since  the  mur- 
dered bodies  had  been  found  lying  in  the  Bergenstrasse,  it 
was  only  right  that  the  city  should  be  well  guarded. 

The  soldiers  themselves  grumbled  somewhat.  Fight- 
ing was  their  trade,  and  they  were  discontented  at  being 
made  a  city  watch.  Beyond  a  late  reveller  or  two  no  one 
was  out  after  midnight.  What  was  the  use  of  all  this  pre- 
caution? In  the  smaller  streets  there  was  even  greater 
silence.  Where  one  might  have  expected  to  find  whatever 
dissatisfaction  existed  in  the  city,  there  was  only  the  greater 
peace.  Hardly  a  light  shone  out  from  any  of  the  dark 
buildings,  no  one  lurked  in  shadowy  corners,  and  although 
the  soldiers  had  been  ordered  to  be  especially  careful  to- 
night, there  seemed  to  be  even  less  than  usual  to  demand 
their  attention.  They  believed  that  the  Princess  Maritza 
was  to  enter  the  city  at  dawn. 

At  the  guard-house  of  the  Southern  Gate  the  men  were 
alert.  An  hour  ago  their  officer  had  told  them  what  was  to 
happen,  and  the  news  was  presently  conveyed  to  the  sol- 
diers at  the  corners.  The  officer  of  the  guardroom  kept  a 
steady  watch  upon  the  slowly  passing  minutes,  while  out- 
side the  city  a  small  army  had  approached  under  cover  of 
the  darkness. 

Without  and  within  there  was  silence.  Yet  wakeful 
and  watching  men  may  be  as  silent  as  those  who  sleep. 
Throughout  the  day  a  man  had  passed  from  one  narrow 


HOW  MARITZA  ENTERED  STURATZBERG   297 

street  to  another  with  quick  and  stealthy  steps.  Into 
this  house  he  went,  mounting  the  stairs  swiftly,  and  dis- 
appeared for  a  few  moments  into  some  upper  room ;  then 
as  swiftly  he  came  down  again,  and,  gliding  up  alleys  and 
half -deserted  streets,  entered  one  little  cafe  after  another, 
and  mounted  to  many  a  room  whose  occupants  listened 
eagerly  to  his  words  and  made  a  sign  that  they  were  under- 
stood. Long  before  darkness  had  fallen  upon  Sturatzberg 
there  were  many  cafes  doing  little  business  to  all  seeming, 
which,  nevertheless,  were  crowded  with  men  hidden  away 
and  waiting. 

Such  a  crowd  waited  in  the  long  room  at  the  rear  of  the 
Toison  d'Or.  The  men  who  composed  it  had  gathered 
there  one  by  one,  as  they  had  done  that  night  when  they 
came  to  drink  with  the  soldiers  who  had  been  found  dead 
in  the  Bergenstrasse  next  morning.  Many  of  the  same 
men  were  in  the  crowd,  many  also  of  those  who  had  once 
chased  Ellerey  so  furiously  through  the  garden  of  that 
other  tavern  where  was  the  door  in  the  wall.  They 
greeted  each  new  arrival  with  a  nod,  and  for  the  most  part 
were  silent  or  spoke  only  in  whispers. 

"At  what  hour  ?  "  asked  one. 

"  Two  hours  after  midnight." 

"Are  our  numbers  sufficient  ?" 

"Quite  sufficient,"  answered  another.  "At  a  dozen 
places  I  have  had  our  brothers  gathered,  close  to  the  spot 
from  which  they  will  make  their  rush  upon  the  troops. 
The  attack  will  come  from  all  sides  at  once,  and  the  soldiers 
will  be  taken  by  surprise.  We  cannot  fail." 

"Does  the  Princess  know,  Dumitru?" 

"Not  certainly,  but  she  will  be  expectant  and  ready. 
You  understand  whose  command  you  have  to  obey,  and 
the  signal  ?  " 

The  men  about  him  nodded  and  smiled  with  quiet 


298  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

confidence,  while  Dumitru  passed  on  to  others  to  answer 
similar  questions.  He  was  of  much  importance  among 
them  to-night.  They  felt  that  he  was  but  the  mouthpiece 
of  the  Princess,  that  she  was  their  real  leader,  that  the 
time  they  had  waited  for  and  plotted  toward  had  really 
come.  A  few  nervous  ones  there  were  among  them 
who  calculated  what  the  price  of  failure  would  be,  and 
had  planned  what  they  might  do  for  their  own  safety  in 
such  an  event ;  but  the  majority  of  them  were  enthusiasts 
who  rejoiced  that  the  hour  of  action  had  arrived  at  last. 

"After  to-night,  Dumitru,  there  will  be  no  turning 
back,"  whispered  one  man,  who,  standing  on  a  chair,  had 
called  for  the  toast  to  Maritza  on  that  night  fatal  to  the 
deserting  soldiers.  "The  next  few  days  will  make  the 
name  of  Sturatzberg  ring  through  the  world,  and  our  deeds 
strike  terror  into  the  heart  of  the  nation." 

Dumitru  nodded  and  passed  on,  but  he  too  kept  eager 
watch  upon  the  time,  even  as  did  the  officer  at  the  guard- 
house. 

The  crowd  became  more  excited  and  restless  as  the 
hands  of  the  clock  crept  farther  and  farther  from  midnight. 
"  Surely  it  is  time  now,"  they  whispered  at  intervals.  And 
the  leaders  had  some  difficulty  in  restraining  them.  As 
it  was  in  the  Toison  d'Or,  so  it  was  in  many  a  dark 
house  where  men  lay  hidden  and  waiting. 

From  the  watchman  over  the  gate  word  was  sent  to 
the  officer  that  the  prisoner  had  come,  and  at  his  com- 
mand the  gates  silently  swung  back  upon  their  hinges. 
It  was  a  large  body  of  men  that  entered,  having  in  their 
midst  a  slim  boyish  figure  mounted  on  a  charger.  So 
Maritza  entered  Sturatzberg. 

The  men  at  the  word  of  command  halted  to  right  and 
left,  and  only  a  few,  comparatively,  continued  their  silent 
march  along  the  Bergenstrasse.  With  the  city  full  of 


HOW  MARITZA  ENTERED  STURATZBERG    299 

troops  what  chance  of  escape  had  that  lonely  prisoner, 
who  spoke  no  word,  yet  furtively  glanced  to  this  side  and 
that,  and  studied  the  attitude  of  the  men  nearest  to  her? 
She  noted  that  soldiers  stood  at  attention  at  street  corners, 
a  few  here,  a  few  there ;  that  of  all  other  signs  of  life  the 
streets  were  empty.  She  realized  that  she  had  been 
brought  in  at  an  unexpected  hour,  and  the  silence  over 
the  city  fell  upon  her  soul.  Hopelessness  and  despair 
seized  her,  and  a  wild  thought  prompted  her  to  make  a 
sudden  dash  for  freedom.  Death  might  come,  but  such 
a  death  was  preferable  to  the  fate  which  must  await  her 
at  the  end  of  this  journey.  Her  fingers  had  tightened  on 
the  reins,  when  the  silence  was  suddenly  broken,  and, 
with  a  swift  hiss,  a  streak  of  light  cut  through  the  darkness 
skyward,  paused  a  moment,  and  then,  with  a  muffled 
detonation,  burst  into  globes  of  light  which  floated  down- 
ward. The  foremost  of  the  troop  reined  in  their  horses 
sharply  at  the  unexpected  flight  of  the  rocket,  causing 
some  confusion  among  those  behind.  Then  came  a 
quick  command  from  an  officer  which  was  half  lost  in  the 
great  shout  which  rent  the  air  on  every  side — 

"For  Grigosie!     Grigosie!" 

Had  the  cry  been  for  Maritza  the  soldiers  might  possi- 
bly have  understood  better  what  this  sudden  stopping 
of  their  progress  meant;  but,  as  it  was,  a  black,  rushing 
mass  was  upon  them  before  they  had  time  to  draw  their 
weapons.  The  attack  was  so  fierce,  so  sudden  and  over- 
whelming, that  when  the  meaning  of  it  had  thoroughly 
dawned  upon  the  soldiers,  they  had  enough  to  do  to  pro- 
tect themselves  without  giving  much  thought  to  their 
prisoner.  There  was  hardly  a  trooper  wrho  was  not  in  a 
moment  separated  from  his  fellows  by  a  swaying  mob, 
whose  one  object  seemed  to  be  to  force  the  soldiers  apart 
and  prevent  any  concerted  action.  The  ring  of  steel  and 


300  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

the  crack  of  revolvers  mingled  with  groans  and  curses 
and  sharp  cries  which  blades  thrust  home  drew  forth. 
Here  a  horse  fell  prostrate  on  its  knees,  bringing  its  rider 
head  foremost  into  the  arms  of  his  assailants;  and  there 
some  plunging  charger,  dexterously  managed,  beat  down 
and  trampled  on  a  writhing  mass  of  limbs.  Shouting 
came  from  a  distance,  as  the  soldiers  from  the  various 
street  corners  came  running  into  the  Bergenstrasse  to  the 
assistance  of  their  comrades,  and,  since  they  ran  compactly 
and  with  bayonets  fixed,  the  mob  gave  way  before  them. 
An  officer,  whose  plunging  horse  cleared  a  path  before 
him,  slashed  right  and  left  as  he  came,  and  shouted :  "  To 
the  prisoner!  Secure  the  prisoner!"  and  desperately  he 
struggled  toward  the  slim  figure  carried  this  way  and  that 
by  the  swaying,  fighting  crowd.  At  his  shout  the  crowd 
threw  itself  more  savagely  upon  him.  The  greatest  danger 
seemed  to  centre  in  this  man,  and  bullets  sang  about  him, 
and  steel  struck  at  him  from  every  side. 

"Quickly,  Princess!" 

A  strong  arm  was  about  her  and  drew  her  swiftly 
from  her  horse.  In  a  moment  a  ring  of  men  had  formed 
about  her  as  they  pushed  their  way  through  the  crowd. 
Two  soldiers  who  sought  to  stop  them  fell  back  groaning, 
and  were  trampled  under  foot;  and  then  the  little  band 
with  the  slim  figure  in  the  midst  of  it  was  outside  the  mob, 
and  at  the  entrance  to  a  narrow,  dark  street. 

"Hold  this  street  with  your  lives!"  cried  one.  "This 
way,  Princess,"  and  with  half  a  dozen  men  to  guide  and 
guard  her  she  ran  forward,  the  din  of  the  struggle  in  the 
Bergenstrasse  growing  fainter  and  fainter  as  they  went. 

Another  rocket  hissed  skyward,  and  then  tactics 
changed.  The  crowd  knew  what  the  signal  meant,  and 
instead  of  throwing  themselves  fiercely  on  the  soldiers, 
they  began  to  draw  back  to  side  streets,  fighting  despe- 


HOW  MARITZA  ENTERED  STURATZBERG    301 

rately  at  corners  for  a  few  moments  and  then  fleeing, 
breaking  up  into  small  knots  and  turning  by  twos  and  threes 
into  alleys  and  dark  passages  into  which  the  soldiers  did 
not  deem  it  wise  to  follow  them.  Fully  an  hour  passed 
before  the  Bergenstrasse  was  cleared,  and  many  a  dark 
form  lay  stretched  in  the  roadway,  and  not  a  few  who  wore 
the  King's  uniform.  Some  lay  quite  still,  their  troubles 
and  ambitions  over;  some  attempted  to  crawl  away  and 
hide  themselves ;  while  others,  too  hurt  to  move,  groaned 
and  cried  piteously  for  help.  The  inhabitants  of  the  Ber- 
genstrasse had  been  rudely  a, /aliened,  but  for  a  long  time 
none  ventured  out  to  render  any  help  to  the  wounded, 
lest  the  soldiers  should  attack  them. 

Meanwhile,  running  feet  woke  the  echoes  of  the  quieter 
streets  and  distant  parts  of  the  town — men  speeding 
toward  safety.  More  troops  would  march  from  the 
castle  presently,  and  it  would  be  dangerous  to  be  found 
in  the  streets  to-night.  Doors  in  dark  streets  opened  and 
quietly  closed  again;  weapons  were  carefully  hidden 
away  under  loose  boards,  and  their  owners  became  harm- 
less citizens  again. 

One  little  band  of  men  held  together,  running  lightly, 
and  certain  of  every  corner  they  turned.  Some  of  them 
were  those  who  had  guided  the  Princess  to  safety,  and 
now  they  were  bent  on  carrying  the  good  news  to  others 
who  were  waiting  eagerly  to  hear  it.  The  foremost  stopped 
at  a  door  and  gave  a  peculiar  knock.  It  was  opened 
immediately,  and  the  custodian  asked  no  questions  as 
the  men  filed  in  and  went  quickly  to  the  rooms  looking  on 
to  the  garden,  where,  not  so  long  ago,  they  had  helped  to 
put  an  end  to  a  duel.  As  they  entered  the  long  room, 
which  was  only  dimly  lighted,  they  paused.  It  was  easy 
to  see  that  there  was  consternation  among  the  men  gath- 
ered there,  and  strangers  were  present. 


302  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"Well?"  cried  a  dozen  voices. 

"She  is  safe." 

"  Safe !  Gone  to  her  death  and  destruction,"  was  the 
answer.  "The  Countess  is  a  traitor." 

"It's  death  to  the  first  man  who  repeats  that  accusa- 
tion," thundered  one  of  the  strangers,  his  hand  upon  his 
sword  hilt,  and  as  the  men  drew  back  before  such  sudden 
fury,  they  noticed  that  the  other  stranger,  a  bearded  soldier 
of  huge  proportions,  grasped  his  sword  hilt  too. 

The  men  who  had  run  from  the  Bergenstrasse  waited 
for  an  explanation. 

"Are  we  not  all  friends  here?"  exclaimed  Baron  Pe- 
trescu  hastily.  "There  is  some  mistake.  Tell  us  your 
story  again,"  and  he  turned  to  a  man  who  had  only  ceased 
speaking  as  the  newcomers  had  entered.  He  had  come 
in  breathless  haste  at  the  very  moment  that  Petrescu  had 
brought  Desmond  Ellerey  and  Stefan  through  the  garden. 
Willing  hands  had  opened  the  low  door  in  the  wall  for 
them,  forewarned  of  their  coming  by  Dumitru.  Ellerey 's 
fame  had  run  before  him,  and  eagerly  was  he  looked  for 
and  recognized  as  the  leader  of  the  rebellion  which  must 
quickly  follow  the  work  going  forward  in  the  city  to-night. 
He  had  come ;  the  conspirators  had  succeeded  in  rescuing 
Princess  Maritza;  and  now  came  this  man  with  a  tale 
which  filled  their  hearts  with  consternation. 

"  I  had  it  from  one  who  fills  a  chief  servant's  place  in 
the  palace,  and  who  is  one  of  us,"  said  the  man,  speaking 
rapidly.  "  He  was  delayed  in  coming  to  me,  or  I  should 
have  been  here  earlier.  The  King  sought  out  the  Countess, 
danced  with  her,  and  then,  seated  in  an  alcove,  behind  some 
curtains  of  which  this  man  was  hidden,  the  King  per- 
suaded her  to  betray  those  who  favored  the  cause  of  the 
Princess,  and  the  Countess  was  tempted,  and  promised. 
Early  to-morrow  she  is  to  send  the  information  to  the 


HOW  MARITZA  ENTERED  STURATZBERG   303 

King  by  a  trusted  messenger,  and  the  King  has  given  his 
oath  that  no  one  shall  know  from  whom  it  comes." 

"I  do  not  believe  it,"  said  the  Baron.  "She  may 
have  promised,  but  she  had  some  reason  for  doing  so." 

"She  had,  Baron.  The  King  persuaded  her  that  her 
act  of  betrayal  should  be  the  salvation  of  a  rebel." 

"What  rebel?     Princess  Maritza?"  asked  Petrescu. 

"  No,  Baron;  Ccptain  Ellerey." 

"It  was  indeed  a  subtle  temptation,"  and  Petrescu 
turned  slowly  to  look  at  his  companion. 

"The  truth  shall  quickly  be  put  to  the  test,"  said 
Ellerey.  "Give  me  wine,  a  full  measure,  to  put  new 
strength  in  me.  Is  mine  to  be  the  only  voice  raised  in 
her  defence  ?  Are  you  all  so  ready  to  believe  evil  of  the 
woman  who  has  served  your  Princess  so  well  ?  I  stake 
my  honor  that  with  her  Maritza  is  safe." 

"True;  but  speak  less  harshly,  Captain,"  whispered 
Petrescu.  "These  men  are  our  friends;  do  not  anger 
them." 

"  He  from  whom  I  had  the  news  ever  speaks  the  truth," 
said  the  man  who  had  told  the  story.  "He  has  never 
failed  us  in  the  past." 

"  Has  the  Countess  ever  failed  you  in  the  past  ?  "  Ellerey 
cried.  "  Shame  on  you  all  for  the  thought.  Her  loyalty 
shall  be  proved  on  the  instant." 

"  You  can  do  nothing  to-night,"  said  Petrescu. 

"  Soldiers  are  in  every  street,"  said  a  chorus  of  voices. 

"Therefore  give  me  wine  to  renew  my  strength,*' 
Ellerey  cried,  and  he  seized  the  tankard  held  out  to  him. 

"  It  is  madness  to  go  now,"  said  Petrescu. 

"  For  you,  perhaps,  for  you,  but  not  for  me.  Man — 
man,  do  not  you  understand  ?  Besides  the  woman  whose 
truth  I  would  vindicate,  is  not  Maritza  there  ?  She  once 
gave  me  life  yonder  in  the  hills ;  even  less  than  love  would 


304  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

repay  such  a  debt  as  that.  To-morrow,  comrades,  we 
may  fight  side  by  side  in  the  streets  of  Sturatzberg,  but 
this  hour  is  my  own.  Let  me  pass.  It  is  death  to  rebel 
or  soldier  who  seeks  to  stay  me  to-night."  And  throwing 
down  the  empty  tankard,  he  went  quickly  to  the  door, 
followed  by  Baron  Petrescu  and  Stefan. 


CHAPTER  XXV 

'TWIXT  LOVE  AND  PITY 

LONG  before  midnight  Frina  Mavrodin  had  completed 
her  work  of  preparation.  The  servants  who  were  in  her 
confidence  had  been  told  of  the  coming  of  the  Princess. 
Some  were  at  the  main  entrance  ready  to  admit  her  if 
she  came  that  way;  others  were  waiting  at  a  small  door 
which  opened  from  the  garden  into  a  side  street.  They 
were  instructed  to  show  surprise,  but  not  consternation, 
should  any  officer  of  the  King  demand  admittance,  and 
servants  were  stationed  on  the  stairs  and  in  the  corri- 
dors, a  signal  arranged  between  them,  so  that  news  of 
any  such  demand  might  be  immediately  conveyed  to  the 
Countess  silently,  and  without  any  man  rushing  to  her 
and  causing  suspicion  to  those  who  entered. 

"If  Captain  Ellerey  comes,  let  him  pass  to  me  at 
once,"  she  said.  "And  at  the  usual  hour  put  out  all 
lights  that  shine  upon  the  street.  This  house  must  seem 
to  sleep,  no  matter  how  wakeful  it  may  be." 

Only  a  dim  light  burned  in  her  own  room,  which 
looked  toward  the  garden,  and  here  the  Countess  paced 
up  and  down  with  slow,  thoughtful  steps.  She  had 
changed  the  dress  she  had  worn  at  Court  that  night  for 
a  sott,  loose  gown  of  delicate  rose  color,  caught  in  at 
the  waist  by  a  silken  girdle  of  a  deep  shade  of  the  same 
color.  A  filmy  cloud  of  lace  was  about  her  throat,  and 
fell  over  her  shoulders  and  from  the  short  loose  sleeves. 


306  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

Once  or  twice  she  stopped  before  a  glass  to  set  a  way- 
ward tress  of  her  hair  in  its  place,  or  to  arrange  the  falling 
folds  of  the  lace,  and  perhaps  lingered  for  a  moment  in 
contemplation  of  her  own  reflection,  half  conscious  that 
she  looked  fairer  dressed  as  she  was  than  in  Court  attire 
of  costly  silks  and  flashing  jewels. 

Many  times  she  paused  at  the  open  window,  drawing 
aside  the  curtains  to  listen  for  footsteps  in  the  garden, 
and  she  listened  often  for  footsteps  in  the  corridor.  Prin- 
cess Maritza  was  coming;  perhaps  Desmond  Ellerey 
would  come,  too. 

How  to  outwit  the  King  should  Desmond  Ellerey  fall 
into  his  hands,  she  did  not  know.  She  thought  of  little 
else  as  she  paced  the  room,  but  no  solution  of  the  problem 
came  to  her.  If  he  should  be  taken,  it  seemed  as  if  he 
must  suffer  for  the  cause  into  which  he  had  been  pressed. 
If  by  her  betrayal  of  others  he  only  could  be  saved,  she 
knew  now  that  he  must  perish.  There  was  no  thought 
in  her  mind  of  writing  out  a  list  of  names  to  send  to  the 
King  to-morrow.  She  put  her  hands  before  her  eyes 
to  shut  out  the  hideous  vision  which  rose  before  her — 
Ellerey  standing  with  folded  arms,  facing  a  dozen  loaded 
muskets  waiting  for  the  order  to  fire;  but  even  in  her 
vision  the  face  of  the  so-called  traitor,  firm,  resolute, 
determined,  in  this  supreme  hour,  as  it  had  been  through- 
out his  life,  as  it  would  be  in  reality  when  such  time  came, 
thrilled  hei  soul  and  made  him  only  tht  greater  hero. 

"Oh,  to  be  at  his  side  then!"  she  exclaimed  in  a  low 
voice.  "  What  would  I  not  give  to  share  that  death  with 
him?" 

But  Ellerey  was  not  yet  in  the  King's  hands,  that 
seemed  certain.  She  felt  convinced  that  soine  time  before 
the  dawn  she  would  see  him;  that  he  would  enter  the 
house  to  stand  by  Mantza's  side  to  the  last.  Had  she 


'TWIXT  LOVE  AND  PITY  307 

not  power  to  save  him  then  ?  There  was  a  way  of  escape 
for  the  Princess ;  that  same  way  could  Desmond  Ellerey 
go.  He  and  Maritza  should  go  together  to  find  in  some 
other  land  a  quiet  haven  of  happiness. 

"Yes,"  she  murmured,  her  little  hands  clasped  so 
firmly  behind  her  that  the  rings  cut  into  the  flesh,  though 
she  hardly  noticed  it ;  "yes,  that  is  how  it  shall  be.  Even 
if  my  life  pays  the  forfeit,  they  shall  go  together.  Perhaps, 
when  his  happiness  is  greatest,  he  will  sometimes  think 
of  the  woman  who  helped  him  to  it." 

There  were  hurried  steps  in  the  corridor,  and  the  next 
moment  Princess  Maritza  and  Dumitru  entered. 

"  So  far  the  fates  are  with  us,  Frina,"  said  the  Princess, 
taking  the  Countess's  hands  in  hers  and  kissing  her; 
"  but  I  little  thought  to  use  your  house  again  as  a  refuge." 

"It  may  prove  an  insecure  retreat,"  Frina  answered. 
"There  is  no  escape  from  this  room.  I  have  arranged 
another  place  for  you.  Come,  and  come  quickly." 

"Are  you  suspected,  Countess  ?  "  asked  Dumitru  anx- 
iously. 

"  I  fear  so,  but  they  will  hardly  trouble  me  to-night. 
Still,  I  do  not  feel  that  you  are  safe  in  this  room,  Maritza." 

Frina  led  the  way  down  several  corridors  and  up  and 
down  short  flights  of  steps  until  she  came  to  the  room 
where  Hannah  waited.  The  old  serving  woman  came 
hurriedly  forward  as  the  door  opened.  For  a  moment 
she  did  not  recognize  Maritza  in  her  boy's  dress,  and  it 
was  not  until  she  spoke  that  the  old  woman's  arms  were 
stretched  out  with  trembling  eagerness  toward  her,  and 
her  joy  found  its  expression  in  tears. 

"O  my  Princess!  O  my  dear  lady!"  was  all  she 
could  say. 

"Dumitru  has  brought  her  back,  you  see,  Hannah," 
said  the  Countess.  "You  owe  Dumitru  some  apology 


308  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

for  the  hard  thoughts  you  have  had  of  him.  Go  with 
him  while  I  speak  to  your  mistress  a  moment." 

"Gladly,  now  she  has  come  back,"  said  Hannah; 
"and  then  I'll  be  looking  out  decent  garments  for  you, 
Princess.  I  should  not  wish  all  the  world  to  see  you  as 
you  are." 

"  This  is  a  safer  retreat  for  me,  is  it  ?  "  said  Maritza, 
glancing  round  the  room  when  Hannah  had  closed  the 
door.  "  It  is  a  corner  of  your  house  I  do  not  know,  Frina. 
Thanks  for  your  great  care  of  me.  It  is  not  long  that  I 
shall  trouble  you." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"Mean!  Why,  that  the  days  for  sitting  idly  down 
to  wait  are  over.  There  has  been  deadly  work  in  the 
Bergenstrasse  to-night,  and  to-morrow  the  King  will 
seek  to  avenge  it!  Do  you  suppose  I  shall  leave  them 
without  a  leader?  Before  dawn,  those  who  love  me 
wrill  be  preparing  for  the  final  struggle.  To-night's  work 
will  convince  many  who  until  now  have  wavered.  Rest 
assured,  there  will  be  a  goodly  host  about  me  when  the 
King  sends  to  take  me." 

"It  is  madness,  Maritza!"  exclaimed  the  Countess. 
"What  can  these  men,  untrained,  undisciplined  as  they 
are,  do  against  the  troops  which  even  now  doubtless  are 
pouring  into  every  street  ?  Wait." 

"  My  dear  Frina,  you  are  a  woman;  I,  in  heart  at  least, 
am  a  man.  Hundreds  are  in  jeopardy  because  of  me 
to-night ;  would  you  have  me  desert  them  ?  You  were 
wont  to  be  of  better  courage." 

"  But  wait — wait  for  counsel  and  advice." 

"From  whom?"  asked  Maritza. 

"From  Desmond  Ellerey." 

The  two  women  were  looking  into  each  other's  eyes; 
neither  fully  understood  the  struggle  in  the  other's  heart, 


'TWIXT  LOVE  AND  PITY  309 

yet  each'  of  them  knew  something  of  the  other's  secret. 
For  some  moments  there  was  silence. 

"Is  Desmond  Ellerey  here?"  asked  Maritza  pres- 
ently. 

"No;  but  he  will  come.  Something  tells  me  that 
he  will  come.  Wait  until  then,  Maritza.  That  door," 
Frina  went  on,  pointing  to  one  which  was  hardly  dis- 
cernible from  the  panelled  walls  of  the  room,  "opens 
into  a  passage  which  leads  to  a  small  building  by  the 
river,  where  there  is  only  rubbish.  No  one  is  likely  to 
search  there.  Hannah  has  the  key,  and  it  is  a  way  of 
escape  if  they  come  to  this  house.  I  implore  you  to  wait 
for  Captain  Ellerey.  Has  he  not  struggled  for  you  ?  Is 
he  not  returning  to  Sturatzberg  to  stand  beside  you  in 
the  hour  of  your  need,  rather  than  take  the  road  to 
safety  as  he  might  have  done  ?  Have  you  not  a  hundred 
times  in  your  heart  chosen  him  the  champion  of  your 
cause  ?  " 

"If  he  comes  to-night  he  may  help  me,  but  I  cannot 
wait,"  was  the  answer.  "The  people  call  for  me;  they 
shall  not  call  in  vain." 

"Maritza!  Maritza!  I  tell  you  it  is  madness.  Be 
persuaded.  Think  of  your  love  for  him;  think  of  his 
love  for  you.  Ah,  you  must  be  ruled  by  me  in  this," 
the  Countess  went  on  desperately.  "I  might  let  you 
go  to  your  death.  I  have  been  tempted  to  let  you  go. 
Yes,  it  is  true,  look  at  me  as  you  will.  Mine  has  been 
the  waiting  part,  and  temptation  comes  easily  then ;  more 
than  once  it  has  nearly  conquered  me.  Only  to-night 
the  King  persuaded  me  to  betray  his  enemies  to  him; 
I  am  to  send  a  list  of  them  to-morrow;  no,  it  is  to-day — 
in  a  few  hours." 

"You  have  promised  to  do  this?"  said  the  Princess, 
laying  her  hand  sharply  on  her  companion's  arm. 


310  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"I  promised  to  think  of  it — aye!  and  when  I  made 
the  promise  I  meant  to  think  of  it.  Shall  I  tell  you  why  ?" 
And  Frina  looked  straight  into  Maritza's  eyes.  "The 
King  made  me  believe  that  Desmond  Ellerey  was  already 
in  his  hands,  and  he  swore  to  spare  him  if  I  would  do  his 
bidding.  It  was  the  keenest  temptation  he  could  have 
assailed  me  with.  Do  you  understand,  Maritza?" 

"And  you  will  send  that  list  ?  "  repeated  the  Princess. 

"  Can  you  ask  the  question  now  ?  No,  I  have  fought 
my  battle  and  won.  What  is  to  come  will  be  easy  after 
the  stress  of  that  fight.  But  that  the  King  should  so  tempt 
me  shows  that  I  am  suspected;  therefore  you  are  here 
in  this  room  with  the  means  of  escape  at  hand.  Wait 
for  Captain  Ellerey,  Maritza.  For  the  present,  at  least, 
I  believe  your  cause  is  lost ;  but  a  way  of  escape,  desperate 
though  it  be,  still  lies  open,  and  you  will  take  it  with  the 
man  you  love  to  defend  you.  Wait,  Maritza." 

The  hand  that  had  rested  on  Frina's  arm  stole  slowly 
round  her,  and  the  Princess  kissed  her. 

"I  understand,"  she  whispered.  "I  have  had  my 
struggle,  too.  I  have  never  forgotten  that  meeting  long 
ago  in  England,  and  now — now  I  love  him.  Ah,  Frina, 
you  may  pity  me.  Many  a  time  in  the  hills  I  longed  to 
cry  out  to  him  to  take  me  northward  into  safety,  to  give 
me  love  instead  of  helping  me  to  a  kingdom.  And  then 
would  surge  into  my  soul  the  memory  of  my  fathers,  and 
I  felt  myself  a  coward.  If  you  have  been  tempted  to 
treachery,  so  have  I.  I  have  my  mission  to  fulfil,  my 
work  is  before  me,  and  there  is  no  place  for  love  in  it.  If 
ever  I  call  any  man  husband,  he  must  be  a  king  who  will 
satisfy  the  State." 

"  But  he  loves  you,  Maritza." 

"  Do  not  make  it  harder  for  me,  sistei  of  mine.  Fate 
deals  ungently  with  us  both.  If  Desmond  comes  before 


'TWIXT  LOVE  AND  PITY  311 

daybreak,  bring  him  to  me,  and  he  shall  give  me  counsel. 
Should  I  taste  failure,  should  I— should  I  never  see  him 
again,  say  to  him " 

"Maritza!" 

"Yes,  speak  my  name  and  say  that  you  loved  me, 
too.  If  I  understand  him  he  will  love  you  for  that.  I 
am  very  weary  and  have  much  to  do  to-morrow.  Send 
Hannah  to  me  and  let  me  sleep." 

In  silence  the  two  women  kissed  each  other,  and 
then  Frina  returned  to  her  room  while  Maritza  threw 
herself  on  a  couch,  Hannah  watching  beside  her.  Du- 
mitru  stood  sentinel  outside  her  door. 

For  Frina  there  was  no  sleep,  only  a  restless  pacing 
to  and  fro,  and  a  longing  for  to-morrow — the  end,  surely 
the  end  would  come  to-morrow. 

The  dim  light  in  her  room  grew  dimmer,  paling 
before  the  coming  day.  A  bird  in  the  garden  whistled 
a  long  note,  and  after  a  silence  it  was  answered  from 
another  part  of  the  garden,  and  then  quickly  from  an- 
other. A  star  gleamed  low  in  the  ever-lightening  purple 
of  the  east,  the  herald  of  the  dawn,  and  from  her  window 
Frina  watched  it,  wondering.  There  was  mystery  in 
the  breaking  of  a  new  day;  would  her  eyes  behold  its 
setting?  What  thoughts  would  be  in  her  brain  as  the 
golden  light  faded  once  more  into  the  black  pall  of  night  ? 

She  turned  from  the  window  sharply  as  she  heard 
quick  footsteps  in  the  corridor.  Long  hours  had  she 
waited  for  them,  and  now  they  had  come.  Her  heart 
seemed  to  throb  violently  to  a  sudden  standstill,  and 
having  taken  one  hurried  step  toward  the  door,  she 
paused  as  it  opened,  and  Desmond  Ellerey  stood  before 
her. 

Looking  forward  to  this  meeting  it  had  seemed  to 
Frina  Mavrodin  that  in  it  her  life  must  reach  a  crisis; 


312  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

but  the  reality  fitted  none  of  her  preconceived  notions 
of  what  this  meeting  would  be  like.  Ellerey's  dress  was 
travel-stained;  there  was  a  rent  in  his  sleeve,  and  he 
looked  as  though  he  had  come  through  some  struggle. 
She  noted  all  this,  but  it  was  the  expression  on  his  face 
which  fixed  her  attention.  It  was  stern,  unyielding, 
desperate;  and  her  frame  stiffened,  and  a  flash  came 
into  her  eyes  as  though  she  were  angry  at  his  intru- 
sion. 

"The  Princess,  Countess?"  said  Ellerey 

"Is  sleeping,"  she  answered. 

"I  would  see  her." 

"  She  has  need  of  your  counsel.     Come." 

She  swept  past  him  without  another  word,  without 
looking  at  him  even,  and  led  the  way. 

Dumitru  stood  at  the  door,  doubly  alert  at  the  sound 
of  approaching  footsteps.  One  hand  was  thrust  inside 
his  cloak,  and  it  was  easy  to  guess  what  his  fingers  played 
with  there.  He  smiled  as  he  saw  who  the  newcomer 
was, 

"Welcome,  Captain,"  he  whispered. 

"Is  all  well?" 

"  Sleeping,"  was  the  low  answer. 

Frina  opened  the  door  softly,  and  then  she  motioned 
Ellerey  to  enter;  but  he  came  no  farther  than  the  thresh- 
old. The  Princess  lay  on  a  couch  sleeping  peacefully, 
dreaming  pleasantly  it  may  be,  for  her  lips  were  half 
parted  in  a  smile.  One  arm  was  thrown  above  her  head, 
her  fingers  thrust  through  her  bright  curls,  and  over  her 
feet  Hannah  had  spread  a  leopard-skin  rug.  A  lamp 
was  still  burning  on  a  table,  and  the  glow  from  it  lit  up 
the  graceful  figure.  For  some  moments  Ellerey  gazed 
upon  the  sleeper,  taking  in  the  whole  picture. 

"Shall  I  wake  her?"  asked  Frina. 


'TWIXT  LOVE  AND  PITY  313 

"No,  let  her  sleep  awhile,"  said  Ellerey,  as  he  went 
back  into  the  corridor.  Then  he  turned  to  Dumitru. 
"  Is  there  a  way  of  escape  open  ?  " 

"Yes." 

"When  will  you  go?" 

"When  the  Princess  commands,  unless  it  should  be 
necessary  suddenly,"  Dumitru  answered.  "There  are 
servants  watching  who  will  let  me  know.  The  Countess 
has  arranged."  He  knew  nothing  of  the  tale  which  had 
been  told  concerning  the  Countess. 

Frina  had  closed  the  door  and  stood  beside  them, 
but  she  did  not  speak.  As  Ellerey  turned  and  showed 
that  he  had  no  other  question  to  ask  Dumitru,  she  led 
the  way  back,  but  at  the  door  of  her  room  she  paused. 

"You  have  come  to  protect  the  Princess,  Captain 
Ellerey.  You  are  welcome.  Use  my  house  and  my 
servants  as  you  think  fit." 

"Countess,  will  you  give  me  leave  to  speak  to  you 
a  few  moments  ?  You  must." 

He  followed  her  into  the  room  and  closed  the  door; 
then  Frina  turned,  facing  him,  and  waited. 

"To-night,  Countess,  I  entered  Sturatzberg  by  a 
way  you  know  of,  doubtless,  to  hear  two  things.  One 
that  Princess  Maritza  had  been  rescued  and  brought  to 
your  house;  the  other  that  you  were  a  traitress." 

Frina  started,  but  Ellerey  went  on  quickly — 

"Hear  me  to  the  end.  Heaven  knows  I  am  in  no 
mood  to  take  you  unawares.  The  man  who  brought  this 
tale  of  you  came  from  the  palace.  Why  you  should  have 
been  spied  upon  I  neither  know  nor  care;  but  every 
word  you  said  to  the  King  last  night  was  heard,  and  out 
of  them  came  this  story,  that  you  had  agreed  to  betray 
to  his  Majesty  all  those  who  favor  the  cause  of  Princess 
Maritza.  No;  hear  me  out,  Countess;  I  swore  it  was  a 


314  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

lie.  Petrescu,  Stefan,  and  I  came  together.  Do  you 
know,  Countess,  that  this  house  is  surrounded,  watched 
by  the  King's  troops  ?  Every  way  of  entrance  that  the 
Baron  knew  of  was  guarded,  and  only  after  long  waiting 
have  we  managed  to  scale  the  garden  wall  and  get  in 
unseen.  What  does  it  mean  ?  Is  the  Princess  trapped  ? 
If  she  is,  who  has  betrayed  her?" 

She  was  silent,  but  her  eyes  did  not  fall  before  his. 

"  For  heaven's  sake,  speak,  Countess ! " 

"The  tale  is  untrue,"  she  said  in  a  low  voice,  "and 

yet- 

"Yes,  yes;  tell  me.  I  have  pledged  my  honor;  tram- 
ple on  it  if  you  will,  only  tell  me  the  truth  now." 

"I  have  been  tempted,"  she  said.  "Yes,  you  shall 
hear  the  truth.  I  have  been  tempted,  perhaps  even  I 
have  stumbled,  but  I  have  not  fallen.  I  am  a  woman 
first,  then  a  conspirator,  and  I  have  had  many  idle  hours. 
Look  into  my  eyes,  read  my  secret  if  you  can  and  judge 
me.  I  was  tempted,  and  the  King's  words  seemed  for 
a  moment  to  help  my  decision.  I  did  not  promise  to 
betray,  but  I  did  promise  to  think  of  betraying." 

"To  gain  time,  that  was  it,  merely  to  gain  time," 
said  Ellerey. 

"No;  I  think  when  I  promised  I  had  almost  decided 
to  act." 

"Ah,  how  could  you!"  Ellerey  exclaimed. 

"You  have  heard  the  story;  were  you  told  the  bribe 
the  King  offered?" 

Ellerey  did  not  answer,  but  Frina  understood  in  a 
moment  that  he  did  know. 

"Yes,  Captain  Ellerey,  that  tempted  me;  but  with  it 
came  a  clearer  knowledge,  and  I  saw  that  for  me  only 
one  road  lay  open.  I  have  taken  it.  Maritza  is  in  a 
room  from  which  there  is  an  escape.  The  King  suspects 


'TWIXT  LOVE  AND  PITY  315 

me.  He  has  surrounded  my  house  with  soldiers;  pres- 
ently they  will  hammer  at  my  closed  doors,  and  I  shall 
stay  to  face  them;  but  Maritza  will  have  gone,  and  you 
will  go  with  her.  She  would  stay  in  Sturatzberg  to  fight 
with  those  who  love  her  cause;  only  you  can  persuade 
her  to  go.  Do  you  understand,  only  you  ?  Go  now  and 
wake  her.  Hannah  has  the  key  of  that  secret  way.  If 
in  my  temptation  I  have  been  trapped  into  showing  that 
I  have  power  in  Sturatzberg,  that  I  have  knowledge  of 
this  conspiracy  and  the  conspirators,  I  have  opened  the 
way  of  escape  too.  I  am  prepared  to  meet  the  King's 
wrath.  Go  to  Maritza,  and  think  less  hardly  of  me." 

Ellerey  stood  with  lowered  head,  his  hands  pressed 
before  his  face. 

**  What  can  I  say,  Countess  ?  God  has  brought  into 
my  life  two  noble  women.  I  am  powerless  to  help  the 
one;  to  the  other  it  seems  I  have  only  given  sorrow." 

"You  must  not  say  that,"  she  said  softly.  "You  are 
powerful  to  help  her  and  to  counsel  her.  As  for  me,  I 
am  a  weak  woman;  if  fault  there  was  it  was  mine.  Go 
now — now  that  I  am  forgiven — to  Maritza.  She  expects 
you.  I  told  her  I  would  send  you." 

The  door  was  suddenly  burst  open  and  Stefan  entered. 

"  Quick,  Captain.  They  demanded  admission,  which 
was  refused,  and  they  are  breaking  in.  The  Baron  and 
those  with  him  will  hold  them  as  long  as  possible." 

"  The  Princess ! "  Ellerey  exclaimed. 

"She  has  been  warned,"  said  Stefan. 

"  She  will  get  away.  She  will  have  time,"  said  Frina. 
"They  will  not  find  her  room  easily." 

"Whatever  is  done  must  be  done  quickly,"  said 
Stefan  from  the  door.  "  Even  now  they  drive  the  servants 
up  the  stairs,  and  the  good  fellows  fight  every  inch  of 
the  way." 


316  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"By  the  river  is  a  house,"  exclaimed  Frina — "only 
rubbish  is  in  it.  Maritza  will  come  that  way.  Go  to 
her.  The  window.  You  can  easily  drop  into  the  garden." 

"And  you?" 

"I  shall  stay  here." 

"You  cannot;  you  must  not." 

"Quickly,  Captain,"  said  Stefan. 

"Go,  go!"  Frina  cried.  "You  must  be  with  her. 
She  will  need  all  your  love  and  courage  to-day." 

"  But  you — what  will  you  do  ?  " 

"  I,  too,  may  find  a  way  to  help  her." 

He  caught  her  hand  and  raised  it  to  his  lips. 

"  God  keep  you,"  he  whispered. 
—     "And  you,  Desmond." 

Then  he  sprang  to  the  window. 

"Do  I  come  ?"  asked  Stefan. 

"  No,"  Ellerey  answered.  "  The  Countess  is  in  your 
keeping.  Guide  her  to  safety." 

"I  will  do  all  a  man  may  do,"  Stefan  answered,  as 
Ellerey  swung  himself  free  by  the  stout  branch  of  a 
creeper  near  the  window,  and  dropped  into  the  garden. 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

REBELLION 

THE  servants,  heartened  by  Baron  Petrescu,  contested 
the  stairs  step  by  step.  With  all  the  odds  against  them 
not  one  turned  to  fly.  They  were  fighting  for  the  mistress 
they  loved,  and  were  staunch  to  a  man.  Some  fell, 
staining  the  thick  carpet  with  their  blood,  yet  even  in 
dying  struck  one  more  blow  as  the  soldiers  trampled 
over  them.  Meeting  with  such  unexpected  resistance 
made  the  soldiers  savage,  and  there  was  no  quarter  given 
or  asked  for.  In  the  forefront  of  the  battle  Petrescu's 
sword  did  deadly  work,  for  so  mixed  up  were  besieged 
and  besiegers  that  those  behind  dared  not  fire.  It  was  a 
hand-to  hand  struggle,  steel  to  steel,  and  although  there 
could  be  no  real  doubt  of  the  issue,  the  Baron  knew  that 
the  longer  he  could  hold  the  soldiers  in  check,  the  more 
time  would  the  Princess  and  the  Countess  have  to  get 
away. 

Stefan  was  silent  until  the  sound  of  Ellerey's  quick 
steps  in  the  garden  had  ceased. 

"  Where  does  that  lead  to,  Countess  ?  "  he  said,  point- 
ing to  a  door  at  the  other  end  of  the  room. 

"To  my  bedroom." 

"And  from  there?" 

"There  is  a  door  on  to  a  landing  seldom  used,"  she 
answered. 

"That  is  our  way,  then,"  said  Stefan. 


318  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"I  shall  stay  here.  I  am  safe  from  them.  It  is  only 
the  King  who  would  dare " 

"The  gentlemen  fighting  yonder  are  in  no  tender 
mood;  I  know  them.  Besides,  the  Captain  left  me  in 
command,  and  you  must  obey,  Countess.  This  is  war 
time,  and  I  am  only  doing  my  duty.  So  we'll  lock  this 
outer  door,  and  we'll  put  as  many  more  between  us  as 
possible.  Is  this  your  cloak?" 

"Yes,"  Frina  answered. 

In  a  moment  Stefan  had  ripped  a  piece  from  the 
edge  of  it  and  stuck  it  in  the  creeper  at  the  window,  and 
thrown  the  cloak  into  the  garden  below.  Then  he  tore 
down  one  of  the  curtains. 

"They'll  think  we've  gone  that  way,  maybe.  Come, 
Countess,  you  can  get  another  cloak  as  we  pass  through 
your  room." 

There  was  strength  in  this  great  bearded  soldier,  and 
besides,  Desmond  trusted  him,  so  Frina  Mavrodin 
obeyed. 

At  every  point  the  servants  were  driven  back,  and 
the  soldiers  spread  through  the  house,  cutting  down 
anyone  who  opposed  them,  but  not  making  any  particular 
effort  to  pursue  those  who  got  out  of  their  way.  They 
were  there  to  take  the  Princess  Maritza  and  the  Countess 
Mavrodin.  Such  were  the  orders  the  officers  had  received. 
But  long  before  the  servants  had  given  way  on  the  stairs, 
Hannah  had  opened  the  door  leading  to  the  passage,  and 
the  Princess  and  Dumitru  had  gone  together  swiftly,  while 
Hannah  waited  for  the  coming  soldiers,  her  heart  growing 
the  lighter  the  longer  that  coming  was  delayed.  She  had 
locked  the  door  again,  but  kept  the  key  lest  others  should 
want  to  use  that  way  of  escape  presently.  The  soldiers 
rushed  in  at  last,  and  Hannah's  face  assumed  an  astonished 
look  as  if  they  had  roused  her  from  sleep. 


REBELLION  319 

"  Who  are  you  ?  "  demanded  one  man  sharply. 

"  I  might  as  well  ask  that  question  of  you,"  she  replied 
curtly.  "  What's  come  to  the  city  that  a  band  of  ruffians 
break  into  an  old  serving  woman's  room  before  she's 
scarce  awake  ?  " 

"Do  serving  women  sleep  on  couches  only  in  this 
house,  and  are  they  pampered  with  leopard  skins  for 
covering  ?  " 

"How  they  sleep,  and  what  they're  covered  with  is 
none  of  your  affair,"  Hannah  said. 

"A  soft  tongue  will  serve  you  best,"  replied  the  man. 
"Tell  me  who  slept  on  that  couch  during  the  night?" 

"And  how  she  slept  and  what  she  dreamt  about,  I 
suppose.  Well,  I  had  no  dreams  of  such  a  rough  awak- 
ening as  this." 

Other  men  were  turning  over  the  things  in  the  room, 
and  presently  one  espied  the  door.  He  called  the  atten- 
tion of  the  others  to  it  at  once. 

"  Open  it,"  they  cried. 

"It's  locked." 

"The  key,  woman — quickly,"  said  one  who  seemed 
to  command. 

"It's  likely  I  shall  let  you  pry  into  my  cupboards, 
isn't  it?" 

"This  is  no  cupboard.     Give  me  the  key." 

"  I  haven't  got  it,"  said  Hannah,  and  with  a  sudden 
swing  of  her  arm  she  sent  the  key  flying  through  the  open 
window  with  unerring  aim. 

"  Curse  you ! "  cried  the  man. 

"  In  the  time  you  take  to  find  it  you  may  learn  better 
manners,"  said  Hannah  defiantly. 

Brave,  staunch  old  soul,  full  worthy  of  that  far-off 
Devon  county  which  gave  her  birth.  The  man  followed 
his  curse  with  a  blow — a  heavy  blow,  striking  with  the 


320  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

hand  which  held  his  sword,  and  the  woman  fell  with  a 
thud  to  the  ground,  to  lie  there  until  Stefan  and  the 
Countess,  stealing  from  the  house  presently,  covered  the 
dead  serving  woman  with  the  leopard  skin. 

To  find  the  key  was  hopeless,  and  the  door  was  a 
stout  one.  It  resisted  the  soldiers'  efforts  for  a  long 
while.  When  at  last  it  yielded  they  rushed  along  the 
passage  to  the  small  house  by  the  river,  but,  save  for 
rubbish,  it  was  empty.  No  boat  lay  upon  the  water. 
There  was  no  sign  of  the  fugitives. 

"They  must  have  come  this  way,"  said  one  man. 
"Had  not  that  old  beldame  resisted  us  we  should  have 
caught  them." 

"Back  to  the  house,  comrades,"  shouted  another; 
"there  should  still  be  something  there  worth  laying 
hands  on." 

Until  now  Ellerey  had  waited,  hidden  by  the  river 
house.  He  had  reached  it  almost  directly  after  the 
Princess  and  Dumitru  had  left  it;  but  ignorant  of  this 
fact,  he  had  waited  for  them.  From  the  soldiers'  words 
he  learnt  the  truth.  Soldiers  were  in  the  garden  now, 
and  as  only  a  little  while  since  he  had  sought  to  enter  it 
unseen,  he  now  sought  to  leave  it,  crouching  from  tree 
to  tree  and  from  shrubbery  to  shrubbery.  His  life  was 
too  valuable  to  be  uselessly  thrown  away.  He  succeeded 
presently  in  scaling  a  wall  and  dropping  into  a  side  lane, 
to  fall  in  later  with  a  band  of  conspirators,  some  of  whom 
were  present  when  the  tale  of  the  Countess's  treachery 
was  told  last  night,  and  who  were  now  quietly  making 
their  way  to  an  arranged  meeting  place. 

"But  the  Princess,  comrades?"  said  Ellerey.  "My 
place  is  beside  her." 

"Fear  nothing,  Captain.  She  will  come  and  help  us 
to  make  this  day  a  glorious  one  in  Sturatzberg." 


REBELLION  321 

The  morning  was  advancing,  but  people  who  respected 
the  law  kept  within  their  houses,  and  left  their  doors 
fast  barred.  From  early  dawn  the  soldiers  were  in  the 
streets,  and  is  was  evident  that  to-day  the  ordinary  busi- 
ness of  life  must  be  suspended.  As  the  hours  passed 
there  were  sounds  of  fighting  on  every  side,  the  fierce 
rattle  of  musketry  at  street  corners,  flying  men  charged 
by  the  soldiers,  turning  sometimes  into  every  alley  and 
place  of  refuge  which  offered,  turning  sometimes  at  the 
shout  of  one  determined  leader  to  withstand  the  charge, 
to  be  cut  to  pieces  or  to  bear  the  soldiers  back,  leaving 
many  a  King's  man  and  King's  enemy  lying  dead  or  writh- 
ing with  their  wounds,  their  enmity  forgotten  in  their 
common  suffering. 

In  one  side  street,  soon  after  such  a  skirmish  had 
swept  it  from  end  to  end,  a  dark  figure  glided  from  door 
to  door.  He  had  not  fought;  he  seemed  unwilling  to 
do  so,  for  at  the  sound  of  approaching  conflict  he  was 
in  readiness  to  retreat  and  hide  himself.  More  than  one 
wounded  man  in  the  roadway  pleaded  for  help,  or  cried 
for  water,  but  he  was  deaf  to  their  entreaties.  He  was 
making  all  speed  to  some  point,  and  would  allow  nothing 
to  hold  him  back.  Now  he  ran  forward  a  few  paces, 
now  stopped  and  turned  hastily  into  an  alley  and  went 
quickly  on  again.  He  came  at  last  to  the  house  of  Frina 
Mavrodin,  when  it  was  close  on  noon.  The  door  at 
the  chief  entrance  had  been  torn  from  its  hinges,  there 
was  nothing  to  bar  his  entrance.  The  servants  who 
had  escaped  death  had  fled,  or  lay  hidden  in  secret  places 
in  the  house.  The  soldiers  had  deserted  it,  finding  their 
quarry  gone,  to  go  and  help  their  comrades  in  the  streets. 
At  the  moment  the  street  was  empty,  and  the  man  slipped 
across  the  threshold,  stepping  over  the  dead  which  lay 
in  the  hall,  grim  witnesses  of  the  fierceness  of  the  fight 
21 


322  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

there.  The  man  passed  from  room  to  room  rapidly, 
his  ears  intent  to  catch  every  sound.  It  was  clear  that 
robbery  was  not  his  object,  for  there  was  none  to  stay  him 
taking  whatever  he  would.  He  passed  on,  touching 
nothing,  and,  by  the  way  he  glanced  down  this  corridor 
and  that,  it  was  evident  that  the  house  was  not  familiar 
to  him.  Chance  directed  his  footsteps  and  brought 
him  to  the  room  where  Princess  Maritza  had  been. 
The  broken  door  at  the  further  end  attracted  his  notice 
and  he  entered  the  room,  stopping  for  a  moment  to 
look  into  the  face  of  Hannah.  The  leopard  skin  had 
not  been  thrown  over  her  yet.  She  was  the  first  woman 
lying  dead  he  had  come  across,  and  he  grew  excited. 
She  had  been  killed  because  she  stood  in  the  way,  and 
she  would  not  have  stood  in  the  way  unless  she  had  had 
someone  in  imminent  danger  to  defend.  She  must  have 
been  with  the  Princess,  he  argued,  and  if  so,  this  must 
be  the  way  they  had  taken.  He  went  quickly  along 
the  passage  and  up  to  the  house  by  the  river.  Someone 
had  certainly  been  there,  but  which  direction  had  they 
taken  afterward  ?  He  glanced  to  right  and  left,  and 
stood  for  some  time  looking  across  the  river. 

"  He  would  not  leave  the  Princess,  and  he  would  take 
her  as  far  as  possible  from  these  fighting  madmen  in  the 
streets,"  he  mused.  "Surely  he  cannot  escape  such  a 
day  as  this." 

The  man  went  slowly  back  along  the  passage  again, 
and  then  he  stopped  suddenly.  The  sound  of  voices 
reached  him  distinctly. 

"  Brave  woman,"  he  heard  one  say.  It  was  a  woman's 
voice  and  the  man's  heart  beat  high. 

"Cowards  to  treat  her  thus,"  came  the  muttered 
answer  in  a  man's  lower  tone. 

There  was  a  moment's  silence. 


REBELLION  323 

"Help  me  to  cover  her,"  said  the  woman. 

There  was  a  turn  in  the  passage,  and  the  man  stand- 
ing waiting  there  could  not  see  into  the  room.  But  the 
passage  was  dark,  and  if  those  in  the  room  came  that 
way  they  were  not  likely  to  see  him,  and  his  mouth  wi- 
dened into  a  malicious  smile.  Would  they  come  ?  He 
had  hardly  whispered  the  question  to  himself  when  it 
was  evident  that  they  had  entered  the  passage  and  were 
approaching.  The  waiting  man  drew  back  against  the 
wall,  a  knife  in  his  hand,  and  if  this  failed  his  other 
hand  grasped  a  revolver.  They  came  slowly,  cautiously, 
and  just  before  the  turn  paused.  It  was  clear  that  they 
meant  to  be  careful,  for  the  man  said,  after  a  moment's 
hesitation — 

"It  is  clear." 

Then  he  came,  but  alone  and  swiftly,  with  his  sword 
in  his  hand.  The  waiting  man  had  not  recognized 
Stefan's  voice,  nor,  had  he  done  so,  would  he  have  feared 
detection.  Stefan's  eyes  and  ears  were  quick,  however, 
and  in  that  pause  he  had  held  up  a  warning  finger  to 
his  companion  and  had  then  sprung  forward. 

"I  took  you  for  your  master,"  cried  the  waiting  man 
when  he  saw  that  he  was  discovered,  "  but " 

The  cruel  blade  flashed  swiftly  down,  but  fell  on 
Stefan's  sword  only,  and  then  before  his  fingers  could 
pull  the  trigger  of  his  revolver,  the  sword  point  was 
thrust  through  his  throat,  and  the  man,  who  had  so  stealth- 
ily waited  for  his  victim,  fell  back  against  the  wall,  up- 
right for  a  moment,  and  then  collapsed,  only  a  gurgled 
sigh  sounding  in  the  silent  passage. 

"  My  ancient  friend  of  the  cellar,"  said  Stefan,  bend- 
ing over  him.  "Waiting  for  the  Captain,  eh?  Well, 
you  did  your  best,  Master  Fra^ois,  and  so  I  will  report 
to  your  master,  should  I  find  him.  Come,  Countess,  the 


324  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

light  is  too  dim  to  see  the  unpleasant  sight,"  and  the 
soldier  held  out  his  hand  to  her. 

Frina  shuddered  a  little  as  she  stepped  past  the 
fallen  man,  and  she  and  Stefan  went  slowly  out  of  the 
passage  together.  The  soldier's  eyes  were  searching  and 
keen  as  they  went.  The  servant  was  dead,  but  the 
master  might  not  be  far  off,  and  he  would  be  even  a 
more  dangerous  enemy.  They  passed  stealthily  from 
street  to  street,  much  as  Fra^ois  had  done  a  little  while 
since.  Stefan  had  a  plan,  a  goal  to  win,  but  he  did  not 
speak  of  it  to  the  Countess. 

Suddenly  Frina  stopped.  They  were  at  the  end  of 
a  deserted  alley,  but  the  roar  of  voices  came  from  a  dis- 
tance; then  the  sudden  rattle  of  musketry,  the  harsh  and 
discordant  music  of  battle. 

"  Which  way  now  ?  "  she  asked. 

"To  safety,"  said  Stefan. 

"While  others  fight  and  fall?"  she  said. 

"  So  the  Captain  willed  it." 

"I  will  go  no  further  toward  safety — not  yet.  Time 
for  that  when  the  day  is  lost.  Our  way  lies  there."  And 
she  pointed  in  the  direction  from  which  the  roar  of  battle 
came. 

"  Countess,  I  have  my  orders." 

"  And  have  obeyed  them ;  now  listen  to  mine.  Yonder, 
where  they  fight,  lies  the  Grande  Place.  Lead  me  there  by 
the  quietest  way  we  can  travel." 

"  That  is  to  go  to  your  death." 

"  Listen,  Stefan — and  look ! "  She  pointed  to  the  street 
into  which  the  alley  opened.  Some  men  were  running 
swiftly  to  the  battle.  "  I  have  but  to  cry  my  name  and  they 
will  come  to  me.  Shall  I  cry  ?  " 

"  For  heaven's  sake,  Countess " 

"  Then  lead  me  as  I  say." 


REBELLION  325 

"  I  cannot.     I  dare  not.     The  Captain " 

"Follow  me  then  if  you  will."  And  before  he  could 
stop  her  she  had  darted  from  him. 

"Stay!"  cried  Stefan,  rushing  after  her.  "Stay!  If 
you  will  go,  let  me  lead  you." 

"  Show  me  the  quiet  ways  if  you  can,  but  come."  And 
though  Stefan  argued,  though  he  tried  to  deceive  her  at 
every  corner  they  came  to,  she  would  not  be  turned  from 
her  purpose.  Ever,  as  they  went,  the  roar  of  battle  grew 
louder  in  their  ears,  and  there  was  fear  in  the  heart  of  Stefan 
the  soldier  because  of  the  woman  who  walked  beside  him. 

Fran9ois  was  dead.  That  was  one  enemy  the  less,  but 
of  the  master  there  was  no  sign.  It  had  been  as  wakeful  a 
night  for  Jules  de  Froilette  as  it  had  been  for  Frina  Mav- 
rodin,  but  he  had  spent  it  in  no  restless  pacing  up  and  down, 
nor  in  listening  for  expected  footsteps.  Fra^ois  he  knew 
was  prowling  about  the  streets.  In  the  early  hours  of  the 
morning  the  servant  had  come  hastily  and  told  his  master 
of  the  rescue  of  Princess  Maritza.  De  Froilette  had  turned 
pale  and  dropped  back  in  his  chair,  dumbfounded  at  the 
news,  but  he  quickly  recovered  himself.  Her  freedom 
could  be  only  temporary.  There  might  be  some  street 
fighting,  but  her  re-capture  was  certain.  Fra^ois  had 
neither  heard  nor  seen  anything  of  Captain  Ellerey,  but  he 
was  sure  to  come,  and  the  servant  had  gone  out  to  roam 
about  the  city  again  in  search  of  him.  Jules  de  Froilette 
spent  his  time  in  busily  destroying  papers,  now  and  then 
placing  an  important  one  aside,  sometimes  reading  one 
with  greater  care  and  hesitating  over  it.  At  intervals  he 
leaned  back  in  his  chair  and  remained  buried  in  thought  for 
awhile,  and  once  he  got  up  and  went  to  a  side  table  on 
which  stood  the  portrait  of  Queen  Elena. 

"  If  Ellerey  were  out  of  the  way  we  might  win  through 
yet,"  he  mused.  "  I  wonder  what  has  become  of  the  brace- 


326  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

let  of  medallions.  If  it  were  in  my  hands  I  might  save  the 
situation,  or  the  Queen  might  have  to  leave  Sturatzberg, 
and  then  who  is  there  to  protect  her  but  me  ?  " 

The  dawn  found  him  still  sorting  and  destroying.  He 
expected  Fra^ois  to  return  with  further  news,  but  the  ser- 
vant did  not  come.  The  Altstrasse  began  to  wake,  and 
grew  noisy  at  an  earlier  hour  than  usual.  The  fact  made 
De  Froilette  lean  back  in  his  chair  in  thought  again.  The 
news  that  the  Princess  had  escaped  was  spreading — that 
was  natural,  and  with  the  town  in  an  uproar,  rebellion  in 
the  air,  there  were  many  who  would  look  to  him  for  a  sign. 
They  had  been  waiting  for  it  and  expecting  it  hourly  dur- 
ing the  last  few  days.  Had  he  not  for  a  long  time  been 
fostering  rebellion,  a  revolt  that  should  set  him  in  high 
place,  that  should  bring  him  riches  from  Russian  coffers, 
that  should  bring  him  love  ?  Was  not  his  house  at  this  mo- 
ment full  of  men  to  whom  he  had  promised  much — men 
who  should  presently  help  the  brigands  to  seize  the  city, 
and  then  in  their  turn  be  quelled  and  crushed  by  Russia, 
whose  army  on  the  frontier  was  only  awaiting  the  word 
from  him  ?  His  scheme  had  failed  through  this  cursed 
Englishman,  but  De  Froilette  had  not  dared  to  tell  the  wait- 
ing men  so,  had  not  dared  to  tell  them  at  any  moment  he 
might  be  compelled  to  fly  for  safety.  They  were  rebels,  and 
would  be  quick  to  see  treachery  in  any  failure  when  they 
had  not  even  been  given  the  chance  to  strike  a  blow  for 
success. 

Presently  a  servant  brought  him  coffee  and  some  rolls. 

"  The  city  is  noisy,"  De  Froilette  said. 

"  Yes,  monsieur." 

"  Where  is  the  rioting  chiefly  ?  " 

"Toward  the  Southern  Gate  they  say,  monsieur;  but 
the-soldiers  are  everywhere." 

"  What  about  the  Northern  Gate  and  the  Bois  ?  " 


REBELLION  327 

"  It  is  quieter  that  way,  monsieur,  I  am  told." 

De  Froilette  nodded  and  the  servant  went  out. 

The  Altstrasse  became  quieter  presently.  The  men 
had  gone  to  swell  the  crowds  in  the  Bergenstrasse,  not  to 
fight  perhaps,  but  to  hang  about  in  side  streets  and  seize 
whatever  loot  they  could.  With  dead  and  dying  men  lying 
in  the  roadway,  there  would  be  much  to  be  picked  up. 
Many  of  the  women  had  gone  too,  for  in  the  Altstrasse 
much  of  the  human  refuse  of  the  city  had  its  home,  and  sex 
counted  for  little. 

It  was  toward  noon  that  De  Froilette's  door  opened 
suddenly,  and  a  tall  figure,  cloaked  to  the  eyes,  glided  in, 
closing  the  door.  In  an  instant  De  Froilette  was  on  his  feet, 
and  then  as  the  man  let  the  cloak  fall  apart,  he  exclaimed — 

"Vasilici!" 

"  Yes,  Vasilici,"  was  the  answer. 

"  They  are  not  your  men  who  are  fighting  in  the  streets, 
are  they  ?  "  asked  De  Froilette,  a  ray  of  hope  in  his  eyes. 

"  No ;  my  men  remain  in  the  hills." 

"We  have  been  overreached,"  said  De  Froilette;  "but 
only  for  a  little  while.  It  was  a  good  move  of  yours  to  de- 
liver up  the  Princess,  although  it  might  have  been  wiser  to 
shoot  her.  There  will  be  many  lives  lost  through  her  to- 
day. She  escaped  last  night.  Do  you  know  that  ?  " 

"I  have  heard  nothing  else  since  I  entered  the  city," 
returned  the  brigand. 

"  It  was  bold  of  you  to  enter  it  at  all  just  now,"  said  De 
Froilette. 

"  I  am  used  to  dangers,"  said  the  brigand,  grandilo- 
quently, "  and  I  had  business  with  you." 

"With  me?" 

"  With  you  and  with  one  other,"  Vasilici  answered.  "  It 
was  fortunate  this  Princess  came  into  our  hands ;  we  learnt 
many  things.  We  were  to  do  the  fighting,  monsieur,  but 


328  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

to  have  little  of  the  reward ;  that  was  for  the  Russians  lying 
on  the  frontier.  It  was  a  pretty  plot  you  and  the  Queen 
had  arranged." 

"  Whose  tale  is  that,  Vasilici  ?  You  are  easily  de- 
ceived if  you  believe  it." 

"  We  learnt  the  truth  when  we  received  this,  monsieur." 
And  the  brigand  held  up  the  bracelet  of  medallions. 

"Whoever  your  messenger  was,  he  lied  to  you,"  said 
De  Froilette.  "  Her  Majesty  shall  presently  convince  you 
of  that.  I  will  return  the  bracelet  to  her. " 

Vasilici  burst  out  laughing.  His  quick  eyes  had  taken 
in  every  detail  of  the  room,  had  noted  what  lay  upon  the 
table,  had  keenly  scanned  his  companion  from  head  to  foot. 

"  We  are  not  all  fools  in  the  hills,  monsieur.  I  am  going 
to  deliver  this  to  her  Majesty  myself.  She  is  the  other  I 
spoke  of  with  whom  I  have  business  in  Sturatzberg.  Ah, 
you  are  clever,"  he  went  on,  replacing  the  bracelet  in  his 
pocket,  "but  you  have  failed.  We  are  not  to  be  sold  to 
Russia  just  yet,  and  by  a  foreigner,  too.  Exterminate  the 
foreigners,  monsieur,  that  has  been  your  cry.  It  is  a  good 
one.  Tell  me,  why  should  you  go  free  ?  " 

He  did  not  wait  for  an  answer.  With  a  sudden  spring, 
his  glittering  dagger  raised  to  strike,  he  was  upon  his  adver- 
sary. But  the  blow  fell  limply,  and  his  fingers  relaxed, 
letting  the  knife  fall  with  a  clatter  upon  the  table.  The 
brigand's  swaggering  courage  had  risen  as  he  contemplated 
his  defenceless  enemy.  From  the  moment  of  his  entrance, 
however,  the  Frenchman  understood  that  he  came  in  no 
friendly  mood,  and  was  prepared.  As  Vasilici  sprang  for- 
ward, two  shots  in  quick  succession  startled  the  echoes  of 
the  room,  and  the  tall  figure  swayed  for  a  moment,  then 
fell  sideways  on  to  the  table,  and  slithered  to  the 
ground. 

In  an  instant  De  Froilette  was  at  the  door  and  had 


REBELLION  329 

locked  it.  There  were  running  feet  in  the  passage  without, 
and  cries  of  "  Monsieur !  Monsieur ! " 

"  It  is  nothing,"  De  Froilette  shouted.  "  The  weapon 
was  loaded  and  I  had  forgotten  the  fact.  I  am  not  hurt. 
Dejeuner  at  once." 

As  the  servants  departed,  De  Froilette  bent  over  the 
dead  body. 

"  Fool !  Canaille!  To  think  to  make  an  end  of  me  so 
easily,"  and  he  took  the  bracelet  from  the  dead  man's 
pocket.  "  In  bringing  this  you  have  served  me,  and  I 
thank  you,  I  would  give  you  decent  burial  had  I  the  lei- 
sure, but  time  presses.  You  must  rest  here  until  they  find 
you." 

De  r  Toilette  hastily  put  some  papers  in  his  pocket,  and 
reloading  the  two  chambers  of  his  revolver,  slipped  that  too 
into  his  pocket. 

"  Now  if  I  can  only  see  Ellerey  as  silent  as  this  brute,  I 
can  laugh  at  them  all.  With  the  bracelet  in  my  possession 
I  am  safe.  It  will  buy. the  King's  courtesy,  or,  if  it  suits 
better,  the  Queen's  obedience.  I  thank  you,  friend  Vasi- 
lici,"  and  with  a  mocking  bow  to  the  lifeless  brigand,  De 
Froilette  took  up  his  hat  and  cloak,  and  left  the  room  by  a 
door  concealed  in  the  wall  behind  his  writing  table. 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

IN   PURPLE   AND    RED   AND    GOLD 

THE  attack  upon  the  Countess  Mavrodin's  house  had  com- 
menced soon  after  daybreak.  At  that  early  hour  few  per- 
sons were  abroad  in  the  streets  except  the  soldiers,  who  had 
been  hastily  marched  to  all  points  of  vantage  in  the  city  as 
soon  as  the  escape  of  the  Princess  became  known:  but  it 
was  not  until  an  hour  or  two  later  that  the  news  of  the 
attack,  and  the  desperate  resistance  the  soldiers  had  met 
with,  began  to  circulate. 

When  the  riot,  which  had  resulted  in  Maritza's  rescue, 
had  been  quelled,  and  the  rioters  had  melted  away  before  the 
onslaught  of  the  troops,  it  was  hoped  that  a  salutary  lesson 
had  been  administered  which  would  prevent  any  recur- 
rence of  open  rebellion.  That  the  Princess  could  not  long 
elude  recapture  seemed  certain,  and  her  brief  triumph  had 
been  dearly  paid  for.  Citizens  lying  dead  in  the  streets 
were  a  grim  reminder  of  the  reality  of  law  and  order. 

The  strenuous  defence  of  the  Countess  Mavrodin's 
house  had  come  as  a  severe  blow  to  the  complacency  of  the 
authorities.  It  seemed  probable  that  Princess  Maritza  had 
found  shelter  there,  that  she  was  actually  in  the  house  when 
the  attack  was  made,  and  her  defenders  had  succeeded  in 
holding  the  soldiers  back  until  she  had  escaped.  But  this 
was  not  all.  It  was  evident  that  it  was  not  only  upon  the 
rabble  that  the  Princess  could  depend.  Her  cause  was 
espoused  by  Frina  Mavrodin,  and  those  who  had  consid- 


IN  PURPLE  AND  RED  AND  GOLD       331 

ered  her  only  a  beautiful,  frivolous  woman  awoke  to  the 
fact  that  she  had  power  and  unlimited  wealth.  She  had 
played  a  part,  she  had  become  a  Lady  Bountiful  in  Sturatz- 
berg,  and  it  was  easy  to  understand  how  far  reaching  her 
commands  might  be  at  this  crisis.  Baron  Petrescu,  too, 
had  been  a  prominent  figure  in  the  resistance  which  had 
been  made,  and  was  still  unharmed;  it  was  impossible  to 
foretell  how  many  others,  from  one  cause  or  another. 

That  the  attack  had  been  successfully  resisted,  in  so  far 
that  the  Princess  had  been  able  to  escape,  gave  an  enormous 
stimulus  to  the  courage  of  the  rebels.  The  death  of  com- 
panions last  night  had  had  a  sobering  effect  upon  some; 
they  were  inclined  to  argue  that  they  had  done  what  they 
had  set  out  to  do,  and  that  for  the  present  enough  had  been 
accomplished;  but  the  news  of  the  morning  raised  fresh 
passions  within  them,  and  their  leaders  were  not  slow  to  add 
fuel  to  the  furnace.  These  enthusiasts  declared  that  it  was 
only  necessary  to  seize  the  advantage  already  gained,  to 
win  the  city  and  to  force  their  will  upon  the  country.  Was 
not  their  Princess  among  them  ?  Had  not  important  per- 
sons already  declared  for  her  ?  Were  there  not  hundreds 
of  others  ready  to  do  so,  only  that  fear  of  the  people's  fickle- 
ness and  half-heartedness  held  them  back  ? 

So  the  carefully  secreted  arms  were  taken  out  again. 
There  were  stir  and  determination  in  every  corner  of  the 
city.  The  word  had  gone  forth  that  the  day  so  long  looked 
for  had  indeed  come;  that  before  nightfall  Sturatzberg 
would  be  in  their  hands;  that  Maritza,  their  sovereign, 
would  most  surely  come  amongst  them  in  the  Grande  Place 
to  lead  them,  and  that  by  noon  all  loyal  men  must  win  their 
way  there.  It  was  no  mere  rabble  to  whom  this  command 
was  given.  Some  organization,  at  least,  had  been  proceed- 
ing for  a  long  time.  Points  of  meeting  were  known.  Lead- 
ers had  been  chosen  and  accepted,  men  who  knew  every 


332  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

alley  and  byway  of  the  city,  and  had  made  a  study  of  street 
fighting,  the  cover  to  be  had  and  taken  advantage  of,  and 
the  narrow  ways  where  the  soldiers  would  manoeuvre  at  a 
disadvantage,  being  compelled  to  fight  singly  and  hand  to 
hand. 

As  the  morning  advanced,  separate  bands  traversed  the 
meaner  streets ,  avoiding  conflict  for  the  present  as  much  as 
possible.  Here  and  there  sharp  skirmishes  took  place,  but 
no  determined  effort  was  made  to  rush  the  soldiers,  nor 
were  the  soldiers  successful  in  dispersing  those  with  whom 
they  came  in  conflict,  except,  perhaps,  to  make  them  change 
their  route.  The  rebel  leaders  had  no  wish  to  make  boldly 
for  the  Grande  Place  before  noon,  that  would  only  be  to 
make  known  what  their  objective  was.  When  the  time  came, 
their  numbers  would  be  overpowering,  and  when  once  the 
soldiers  saw  that  they  were  hemmed  in,  many  of  them 
would  be  fighting  with  them  instead  of  against  them.  Was 
it  not  common  knowledge  that  among  the  troops  there 
was  dissatisfaction  ? 

Desmond  Ellerey  had  fallen  in  with  one  of  these  bands 
when  he  escaped  from  Frina's  garden.  The  leader,  a  lusty 
enthusiast,  who  had  already  looked  forward  to  the  rewards 
which  must  accrue  from  this  day's  victory,  could  tell  him  all 
that  was  to  happen,  but  of  Maritza's  whereabouts  at  that 
moment  he  knew  nothing.  All  he  was  sure  of  was  that  she 
would  be  in  the  Grande  Place  at  the  appointed  time.  He 
was  a  skilful  leader.  He  took  his  followers  by  a  multitude 
of  back  streets,  avoiding  every  point  where  soldiers  were 
likely  to  be.  Every  man  was  valuable,  and  to  lose  even 
one  in  a  skirmish  which  could  achieve  nothing  was  to 
jeopardize  the  success  of  the  rebellion  to  that  extent.  He 
constantly  turned  aside  to  avoid  some  particular  corner 
which  the  scouts  sent  on  before  reported  occupied;  but 
although  this  often  necessitated  returning  for  some  distance 


IN  PURPLE  AND  RED  AND  GOLD       333 

along  the  way  they  had  come,  he  managed  gradually  to 
approach  the  place  of  rendezvous,  until  a  little  before  noon 
he  had  brought  his  band  into  an  alley  opening  out  of  one  of 
the  streets  which  led  directly  into  the  Grande  Place. 

"  An  excellent  battle  ground  for  us,"  he  said,  turning  to 
Ellerey.  "  The  space  is  confined,  narrow  streets  abound 
for  us  to  fight  in,  which  will  prevent  the  soldiers  rushing  us 
or  bringing  guns  into  action." 

Ellerey  nodded,  but  his  heart  was  heavy.  Enthusiasm 
might  accomplish  much,  but  he  did  not  believe  in  the  ability 
of  the  rebels  to  withstand  the  military  force  which  would  be 
opposed  to  them.  After  last  night,  Sturatzberg  was  not 
likely  to  be  caught  asleep.  What  was  this  day  to  bring  to 
the  woman  he  loved  ?  If  he  could  have  known  that  she 
was  in  safety,  he  could  have  drawn  his  sword  with  a  lighter 
heart,  and  struck  boldly  for  her  cause — died  for  it,  if  need 
be.  But  she  was  not  safe.  Unless  she  had  already  fallen 
into  the  hands  of  her  enemies,  she  was  coming  to  the  Grande 
Place.  She  had  promised,  and  that  promise  was  the  main- 
spring of  the  enthusiasm  which  was  on  every  side  of  him. 
He  knew  her  too  well  even  to  hope  that  she  would  not  come. 
And  her  coming  must  mean  death.  His  love  made  him 
afraid.  He  could  not  see  even  the  barest  possibility  of 
victory,  nor  had  he  any  hope  that  she  could  escape  now. 
Love  made  him  a  coward — his  vital  force  seemed  numbed, 
and  his  hand  shook.  He  had  been  an  entire  stranger  to 
such  a  sense  of  fear  until  this  moment,  and  it  was  only  with 
a  great  effort  that  he  was  able  to  throw  off  the  paralyzing 
effect  it  had  upon  him. 

From  the  tower  of  the  Hotel  de  Ville  the  hour  of  noon 
sounded  clear  and  musically  over  the  city. 

"  Ready ! "  said  the  leader. 

"  But  the  Princess  ?  "  said  Ellerey. 

"  She  will  come,"  was  the  answer. 


334  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

Would  she  ?  The  striking  of  the  hour  was  evidently 
the  signal.  The  last  stroke  had  not  died  away  when  the 
men  moved  out  from  the  alley  into  the  street,  and  went 
quickly  towards  the  Grande  Place.  Similar  bands  of  men 
came  from  other  alleys,  and  from  every  street  they  poured 
impetuously  into  the  Square. 

No  place  had  been  assigned  to  Ellerey,  no  duty  had 
devolved  upon  him,  and  as  the  forward  rush  was  made,  he 
contrived  to  keep  at  the  side  of  the  street,  so  that  he  might 
not  be  forced  to  the  front  of  the  crowd.  Once  in  the  Square 
he  stepped  aside,  sheltering  himself  in  the  angle  of  a  wall, 
and  no  one  noticed  his  movements  as  they  rushed  past  him. 

There  were  comparatively  few  soldiers  in  the  Grande 
Place,  and  for  them  the  striking  of  noon  had  had  no  warn- 
ing. The  sharp  rattle  of  musketry  came  swiftly,  but  in  a 
moment  the  soldiers  were  swept  back  or  beaten  down. 
There  was  a  triumphant  shout  at  this  success,  but  the  men 
were  well  in  hand.  They  did  not  attempt  to  follow  the 
enemy  into  the  side  streets  into  which  they  were  driven,  but, 
having  in  the  first  onslaught  seized  every  entrance  to  the 
square,  took  up  their  positions  to  hold  them.  For  a  few 
moments  there  was  silence,  save  for  the  quick  commands  of 
rebel  leaders,  and  the  hurrying  feet  of  men  taking  their  ap- 
pointed places.  They  were  heartened  and  enthusiastic. 
They  had  only  to  hold  the  Grande  Place  for  a  while — com- 
rades were  marching  from  every  quarter  of  the  city — and 
the  soldiers  would  be  between  two  fires.  So  the  leaders 
encouraged,  and  the  men  believed  and  were  content. 

Ellerey  still  remained  in  the  angle  of  the  wall,  endeavor- 
ing to  attract  as  little  attention  as  possible.  Were  he  seen 
and  recognized,  some  position  of  command  was  likely  to  be 
thrust  upon  him,  and  this  he  was  most  anxious  to  avoid. 
His  place  was  beside  Maritza  when  she  came.  One  man 
spoke  to  him,  asking  him  what  orders  he  had  received. 


"  To  protect  the  Princess,"  he  answered. 

The  man  gave  him  a  friendly  nod.  and  Ellerey  con- 
ceived that  to  certain  men  some  such  command  had  been 
given,  and  that  his  answer  was  a  happy  one. 

From  the  opposite  side  of  the  square  came  the  crack  of 
rifles  again,  quickly  answered.  The  rebels  were  well 
armed,  and,  whatever  the  issue,  the  struggle  was  to  be  a 
desperate  one.  Here  was  no  loose  rabble  to  turn  and  flee, 
but  enthusiasts  bent  on  disputing  every  inch  of  the  way. 

"  Charge ! "  came  an  order  from  the  distance,  and  there 
followed  the  sudden  growling  of  conflict.  Yonder  the  bat- 
tle had  begun  in  earnest,  and  a  moment  later  a  roar  of  tri- 
umph proclaimed  that  the  soldiers  had  been  thrust  back. 
There  was  wisdom  in  making  them  fight  in  narrow  streets. 

It  was  difficult  for  Ellerey  to  remain  where  he  was. 
Fighting  was  going  forward,  and  the  spirit  of  the  soldier  in 
him  made  him  restless  to  take  his  part  in  it.  His  hand 
was  upon  his  sword,  when  suddenly  a  great  roar  of  voices 
from  every  side  seemed  to  shake  the  Square.  Again  and 
again  it  rose  swelling  and  breaking  like  storm  waves  lash- 
ing a  shore.  There  was  quick  movement  round  the  statue 
of  Ferdinand,  a  frantic  waving  of  arms,  and  then  the 
mighty  roar  became  articulate. 

"  Maritza !    Maritza ! " 

She  had  come  among  them — a  warrior,  even  as  her 
fathers  wene :  it  was  fitting  that  her  name  should  resound 
over  Sturatzberg. 

"Charge!" 

Again  the  distant  command,  again  the  fierce  cries  and 
groaning  of  conflict,  and  still  the  rebel  ranks  remained  un- 
broken; again  the  soldiers  were  beaten  down  and  driven 
back.  Maritza  had  come,  and  that  meant  victory.  The 
belief  was  deep  seated  in  the  heart  of  every  man. 

From  what  point  she  had  entered  the  square,  Ellerey 


336  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

could  not  determine,  but  in  a  few  moments  he  saw  her. 
She  was  standing  on  the  steps  of  the  statue,  a  pathetic,  yet 
an  heroic  figure.  She  was  still  in  her  boy's  dress,  her  bright 
curls  falling  loosely  from  under  her  cap.  She  said  some- 
thing which  Ellerey  could  not  hear,  and  then  the  shouting 
broke  out  again.  Men  ran  to  join  their  comrades,  impa- 
tient only  for  opportunity  to  strike  a  blow  at  the  foe,  leaving 
the  Princess  in  the  midst  of  a  little  band,  evidently  a  picked 
bodyguard,  among  them  Baron  Petrescu  and  Dumitru. 

For  a  moment  Ellerey  watched  her.  She  had  come. 
There  was  no  sign  of  fear  in  her  face ;  how  should  there  be  ? 
Did  he  not  know  her  courage  ?  When  had  Maritza  ever 
failed  when  the  time  for  action  arrived  ?  Had  he  not  full 
reason  to  know  what  a  splendid  comrade  she  was  in  a  tight 
place?  All  these  who  shouted  her  name  were  her  com- 
rades; was  it  likely  she  would  desert  them  in  the  hour  of 
their  need  ?  And  this  was  the  woman  he  loved,  the  woman 
who  loved  him — yes,  in  that  instant  all  doubt  seemed  to 
fade  into  knowledge.  Almost  he  fancied  that  her  quick 
glance  sought  him  in  that  striving  crowd,  and,  not  finding, 
that  disappointment  touched  her  heart.  Oh,  it  was  good 
to  be  loved,  even  for  one  short  hour,  by  such  a  woman  as 
this. 

His  sword  was  naked  in  his  hand  as  he  went  swiftly 
across  the  square  and  shouldered  his  way  to  her. 

"Desmond  Ellerey!  "she  cried,  a  wondrous  light  glow- 
ing in  her  eyes  as  she  stretched  out  her  hand  to  him. 

"  At  your  service  and  command,  Princess,"  he  answered. 

In  her  glad  cry  at  his  coming  he  heard  the  confession  of 
her  love;  he  read  it  in  her  eyes,  yet  he  did  not  call  her  Ma- 
ritza. To-day,  indeed,  she  claimed  the  address  of  sov- 
ereignty. 

"  I  thought  perhaps  you  would  not  come,"  she  said  in  a 
lower  voice.  "  You  do  not  love  my  cause." 


"  To-day  I  stand  or  fall  for  it,  Princess,"  he  said  aloud; 
"because " 

"Desmond!" 

"  Because  I  love  you,"  he  whispered. 

It  was  said.  It  had  to  be  said  now,  lest  she  should  never 
know,  for  this  day  was  a  day  of  battle,  and,  before  evening, 
ears  might  be  deaf  and  lips  silenced  forever. 

For  a  moment  longer  she  held  his  hand  in  hers,  and 
then,  fearing,  perhaps,  that  others  about  her  might  see 
some  preference  in  her  welcome,  she  cried  aloud : 

"  Ah,  God  must  surely  destine  me  for  victory.  He  has 
given  me  so  many  brave  and  true  men ! " 

The  roar  of  conflict  was  not  confined  to  one  side  of  the 
Square  now.  Street  after  street  took  up  the  fight.  The 
soldiers  were  attacking  from  every  quarter.  The  sharp 
command  to  charge  rang  out  more  often,  and  the  sudden 
growl  of  the  hand-to-hand  struggles  was  fiercer  and  longer 
and  more  continuous.  Here  and  there  was  an  ominous 
bending  inward  of  a  mass  of  defenders,  but  it  was  straight- 
ened again  by  mere  force  of  numbers. 

"They  want  more  men  there,"  said  Ellerey,  pointing 
with  his  sword  to  one  place. 

Maritza  gave  a  quick  order  to  a  man  near  her,  and  im- 
mediately other  men  were  hurrying  to  strengthen  the  posi- 
tion. 

"  Who  commands  ? "  asked  Ellerey,  turning  to  the 
Baron. 

"  The  Princess,"  was  the  answer. 

"A  dozen  leaders  fight  for  me,"  said  Maritza;  "but  I 
look  to  you  and  the  Baron  to  advise  me." 

"  What  forces  have  you  in  the  city  beside  these  ?  "  El- 
lerey asked,  turning  to  Petrescu. 

"  Many  are  hurrying  to  join  us,"  he  answered. 

"  And  will  have  to  fight  their  way  to  us,"  said  Ellerey. 
22 


338  PRINCESS   MARITZA 

"  We  must  hold  the  Square  at  all  costs,  for  I  see  no  line  of 
retreat." 

"  Retreat ! "  exclaimed  Maritza.  "  There  is  no  retreat 
for  me.  To-day  makes  me  Queen  in  Wallaria  or  nothing." 

"Still,  Princess,  a  momentary  retreat  might  save  the 
day." 

"We  have  no  way  of  retreat,  Captain,"  said  Petrescu, 
and  the  look  in  his  face  told  Ellerey  plainly  enough  that, 
loyal  as  he  was,  he  had  little  hope  of  success.  "  Circum- 
stances have  forced  matters  to  an  issue,  and  we  must  stand 
or  fall  as  the  fates  decide." 

The  rattle  of  musketry  was  now  continuous  on  all  sides, 
and  for  those  who  fell  there  was  little  help  or  thought, 
friend  and  foe  alike  trampling  them  to  death  in  the  struggle. 
More  than  once  soldiers,  thrust  forward  by  those  behind 
them,  had  broken  through  the  ranks  of  the  defenders,  only 
to  be  shot  or  stabbed  before  they  could  recover  themselves. 
Again  the  rushes  were  stopped  and  repulsed,  but  still  they 
were  made  with  unabated  fury,  and  Ellerey  saw  that  each 
one  was  more  determined,  more  difficult  to  meet  than  the 
last.  Constantly  that  ominous  bending  inward  was  only 
straightened  with  great  effort. 

Presently  he  touched  the  Baron  on  the  shoulder,  and 
pointed  to  one  street  where,  in  the  distance,  mounted  men 
could  be  seen. 

"  I  have  been  wondering  why  they  did  not  use  them," 
said  Ellerey. 

"  The  streets  are  narrow  for  them,"  said  Petrescu. 

"  True '  but  if  only  a  dozen  break  through  there  will  be 
confusion."  And  then,  lowering  his  voice,  Ellerey  went 
on :  "  Is  there  no  way  of  escape  for  her  ?  " 

"We  may  carve  one  lor  her,  Ellerey,  you  and  I;  it  is 
the  only  way  I  know  of." 

They  had  spoken  in  a  low  tone,  but,  had  their  voices 


been  louder,  it  is  doubtful  whether  Maritza  would  have 
heard  them.  She  was  absorbed  in  watching  the  deadly 
struggle  which  raged  around  her.  She  was  unconscious  of 
the  bells  above  her,  which  told  quarter  after  quarter,  sound- 
ing musically  over  the  city.  Perhaps  the  thought  came  to 
her  that  these  men  were  dying  in  her  cause,  at  her  bidding; 
but  how  could  she  blame  herself  ?  Had  not  thousands  be- 
fore them  died  for  her  fathers  ?  Were  her  rights  less  than 
those  of  her  fathers  ?  And  was  she  not  among  her  sub- 
jects to  cry  victory  with  them,  or  to  die  in  their  midst  ?  She 
asked  from  them  no  sacrifice  which  she  herself  was  not  pre- 
pared to  make. 

"Will  those  others  who  are  coming  never  fight  their 
way  to  us  ?  "  she  said  turning  to  Ellerey  suddenly. 

"  If  they  can,  Princess." 

It  was  a  vain  hope.  In  every  street  which  led  to  the 
Grande  Place  there  had  been  desperate  struggles.  In  the 
roadways  lay  the  dead  and  dying,  while  others  fled  to  find 
safety  if  they  could.  There  was  no  help  to  come,  and  El- 
lerey did  not  expect  it. 

"Charge!" 

The  command  rang  out  simultaneously  from  all  sides, 
and  there  was  the  jingle  of  harness  and  the  thud  of  horses' 
hoofs. 

Here  the  attack  was  hurled  back,  horses  riderless,  here 
horse  and  man  pitched  forward  to  be  shot  and  stabbed; 
and  here  the  same,  and  here ;  but  yonder  the  defenders  had 
been  driven  in,  and  there  too.  A  dozen  horsemen  were  in 
the  square,  and  although  they  fell,  confusion  had  begun. 
The  defense  was  weakened  at  several  points,  more  horse- 
men fought  their  way  in,  and  with  them  foot-soldiers  gained 
an  entrance.  Step  by  step  the  rebels  were  driven  back- 
ward toward  the  statue  where  Maritza  stood. 


340  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  Will  those  others  never  fight  their  way  to  us  ?  "  she 
cried  in  almost  piteous  tones. 

"  You  cannot  stay  here,"  said  Ellerey.     "  Come ! " 

Men  were  already  rushing  past  them.  Once  beaten 
back,  hopelessness  came  quickly,  and  many  of  those  who 
had  been  foremost  in  the  fight  now  shouted  to  their  com- 
rades to  escape  if  they  could.  The  soldiers,  resistlessly 
pressing  forward,  were  closing  in  on  them  when  Ellerey 
spoke.  Maritza  did  not  answer. 

"  Come ! "  he  said  again,  his  hand  on  her  arm. 

The  touch  roused  her. 

"I  have  brought  you  to  this;  forgive  me,  Desmond," 
she  said.  Her  whole  ambition  was  forgotten  for  a  moment 
in  the  thought  of  the  man  beside  her. 

Ellerey  did  not  answer.  There  was  no  time.  The  sol- 
diers were  upon  them.  With  Petrescu  on  one  side  and  Du- 
mitru  on  the  other  Ellerey  threw  himself  before  the  Prin- 
cess. The  final  struggle  had  commenced,  and  so  fierce  was 
the  resistance  of  these  three  men  that  the  soldiers  hesitated 
and  fell  back  a  pace. 

"  Fly,  Princess,  while  there  is  time,"  Ellerey  shouted. 

"  Victory  or  death,  I  stay "  (and  her  voice  rang  clear 
above  the  uproar)  "  with  you,  Desmond." 

The  last  words  were  spoken  almost  in  a  whisper,  and 
they  maddened  him.  Here  was  death,  butchery,  and  she 
was  in  the  midst  of  it. 

"Maritza!  Go,  dear!  Go!  "he  cried.  "Let  me  hold 
them  back  for  a  moment.  I  will  follow.  Petrescu !  Du- 
mitru ! " 

So  determined  was  the  struggle  round  the  steps  of  the 
statue  that  the  tide  of  battle  seemed  to  have  turned  again, 
and  some  of  the  rebels  dashed  fiercely  back  into  the  fray. 

"Take  her,  Dumitru,"  Ellerey  whispered.  "We'll 
hold  them  while  we  can." 


IN  PURPLE  AND  RED  AND  GOLD       341 

Suddenly  from  a  corner  of  the  Grande  Place,  rushing 
swiftly  through  the  ranks  of  the  flying  rebels,  came  a  wo- 
man. 

"  Are  you  cowards  or  men  ? "  she  cried  aloud  as  she 
came,  and  some  turned  at  that  cry  and  met  death  with  a 
shout  of  defiance,  while  others  stood  irresolute  until  fear 
overcame  them. 

Ellerey  saw  her  as  she  reached  Maritza's  side,  and  then 
he  was  conscious  that  a  stalwart  arm  was  raining  heavy 
blows  upon  the  foes  which  seemed  to  surround  him. 

"  She  would  come.  I  could  not  stay  her,"  said  Stefan 
between  his  deeply  panted  breaths  as  he  struck  again  and 
again. 

"Fly,  Maritza!" 

"Frina!    You!" 

"  Fly,  Maritza ! "  The  salvation  of  Maritza  seemed  her 
one  thought.  The  hope  that  she  might  accomplish  it,  even 
at  the  last  moment,  had  drawn  her  hither.  How  it  was  to 
be  done  she  had  not  asked  herself.  Yet  now  she  appeared 
to  have  found  the  way. 

Even  as  she  spoke  Dumitru  seized  the  Princess. 

"  Come ! "  he  said,  as  he  threw  a  cloak  about  her  to  con- 
ceal her  identity.  "  To-day  we  fail ;  to-morrow — Ah ! " 

It  was  a  short,  sharp  cry,  a  cry  with  finality  in  it.  What- 
ever to-morrow  might  bring  forth,  he  should  have  no  part 
in  it.  His  hand  still  grasped  the  cloak  as  he  fell  backwards, 
and  Maritza  was  dragged  down  with  him. 

"  Grigosie, "  said  Ellerey  to  the  soldier  beside  him  as  he 
saw  Dumitru  fall.  He  used  the  name  that  Stefan  might 
understand  to  the  full.  Was  there  anything  that  Stefan 
would  not  do  for  Grigosie  ? 

Frina  Mavrodin  stood  for  a  moment  alone  above  the 
surging,  fighting  mass.  She  had  shuddered  when  she  had 
passed  the  dead  body  of  Francois  in  the  passage,  now  she 


342  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

drew  herself  to  her  full  height  and  looked  down  upon  the 
battle.  She  stood  there  that  all  men  might  see  her,  that 
Maritza  might  escape,  and  then  she  saw  Ellerey  with  the 
sweat  and  grime  of  the  conflict  upon  him.  For  an  instant 
their  eyes  met,  her  lips  whispered  his  name,  and  then  she 
threw  up  her  arms,  and  with  a  low  cry  fell  prone  upon  the 
steps  of  the  statue. 

Maritza,  who  was  bending  over  Dumitru,  turned  swiftly 
and  made  one  step  towards  her  when  Stefan  stopped  her. 

"  Come,"  he  said.  And  this  time  he  waited  for  no  plead- 
ing. Drawing  the  cloak  tightly  round  her,  he  caught  her 
in  his  arms,  and,  in  the  midst  of  those  who  fled,  rushed 
from  the  Square.  The  plan  he  had  made  earlier  in  the  day 
when  the  Countess  walked  beside  him  he  would  carry  out 
now.  He  had  ears  for  no  entreaty,  for  no  threat, 

"We'll  win  through,  Grigosie,"  he  said  over  and  over 
again  as  he  turned  now  into  one  alley,  now  into  another, 
leaving  the  flying  rabble  further  and  further  behind. 
"  We'll  win  through,  Grigosie.  It's  the  Captain's  orders." 

Ellerey  heard  that  cry  too,  and  knew  its  meaning. 
There  was  a  shout  of  triumph  from  the  soldiers  pressing 
forward,  a  swaying  back  of  the  rebels,  and  he  was  carried 
along  with  them  unable  to  use  his  sword  in  the  seething 
mass  of  friends  and  foes. 

"She  is  dead!"  someone  cried;  and  the  effect  was  in- 
stantaneous. Men  took  up  the  cry  and  shouted  that  Ma- 
ritza was  dead,  and  the  soldiers  may  have  thought  it  was  so 
seeing  a  woman  fall.  Every  rebel  was  at  once  struggling  to 
fight  his  way  out  of  the  crowd,  his  own  safety  his  only 
thought.  The  day  was  lost,  it  was  the  time  to  seek  safety 
if  it  were  to  be  found.  The  Baron  and  Ellerey  were  still 
side  by  side,  and  together  they  were  forced  back  toward  a 
narrow  street. 

"  There  is  still  a  chance  for  you,"  Petrescu  whispered. 


IN  PURPLE  AND  RED  AND  GOLD       343 

And  the  next  moment  he  was  striving  madly  to  force  his 
way  back  to  the  statue,  to  the  side  of  the  woman  he  had 
loved.  Then  he  was  cut  down  and  trampled  under  foot  as 
Ellerey  was  carried  away  in  a  rush  of  pursued  and  pursuers. 
Suddenly  the  pressure  relaxed,  the  open  street  was  before 
him. 

"  Ellerey !  No  matter  who  else  escapes,  seize  Ellerey ! " 
He  had  been  recognized,  and  for  him  there  was  no  hope  of 
mercy.  He  swung  round  one  sweeping  blow  of  his  sword 
and  sprang  forward.  The  way  seemed  clear,  when  a  fig- 
ure suddenly  dashed  from  a  doorway  and  fired  at  him  point 
blank,  twice  in  quick  succession,  crying  his  name  to  those 
who  appeared  to  have  lost  him  for  a  moment. 

A  pain  like  the  running  in  of  a  red-hot  skewer  was  in 
Ellerey 's  arm,  but  not  his  sword  arm,  and  the  weapon 
flashed  high  in  the  air  and  fell  with  relentless  force. 

"  Quits,  you  devil ! "  he  cried  as  De  Froilette  reeled  back- 
wards, cut  with  deadly  depth  downward  from  the  shoulder. 
Then  Ellerey  rushed  on  again,  one  among  hundreds  seek- 
ing safety,  followed  by  their  conquerors,  who  showed  no 
mercy.  Suddenly  an  arm  was  outstretched  from  an  alley 
and  seized  him.  The  impetus  of  being  thus  turned  in  his 
headlong  flight  carried  him  some  yards  down  the  narrow 
way. 

"  Quickly ! "  said  a  voice  in  his  ear.  "  To  the  right,  now 
to  the  left." 

A  guiding  hand  and  a  supporting  arm  urged  him  for- 
ward. Ellerey  asked  no  question,  never  turned  toward 
the  man  who  ran  beside  him,  but  went  on  mechanically. 
His  brain  was  full  of  a  whirling  nightmare.  Then  a  door 
was  slammed  heavily,  there  was  the  sensation  of  rapid 
movement,  the  quick  beating  of  galloping  horses,  and  then 
faintness  and  oblivion. 

The  red  sun  sank  westward,  glowing  on  the  roofs  and 


344  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

spires  of  the  city.  The  minutes  passed  swiftly,  and  the 
hours.  Still  in  the  smaller  streets  and  the  narrow  alleys 
there  were  flying  feet,  and  now  and  again  a  shriek  as  some 
poor  wretch  pitched  forward,  shot  or  stabbed  by  his  relent- 
less pursuers.  Resistance  there  was  none;  that  was  over. 
The  dead  and  dying  lay  in  the  roadways  where  they  had 
fallen,  the  only  cry  now  was  for  mercy,  and  that  was  seldom 
granted.  The  soldiers  were  savage  too,  and  rebellion  must 
be  stamped  out. 

By  the  statue  of  Ferdinand  a  squad  of  soldiers  was 
halted,  and  on  the  steps,  just  as  she  had  fallen,  lay  Frina 
Mavrodin.  She  was  beautiful  in  death,  and  there  was  a 
pathos  in  that  prostrate  form  which  appealed  even  to  these 
rough  soldiers.  Had  she  not  been  the  Lady  Bountiful  in 
that  city  ?  They  were  silent  for  the  most  part,  or  if  they 
spoke,  hushed  their  voices  to  a  whisper,  and  used  no  oaths. 
She  had  sacrificed  her  life  for  the  man  and  woman  she  loved. 
Here  in  the  Grande  Place  of  Sturatzberg,  where  a  little 
while  since  fierce  conflict  raged;  here  where  Maritza's 
cause  had  been  fought  for  and  lost;  here  where  so  many 
turned  sightless  eyes  to  the  deepening  sky,  Frina  Mavrodin 
had  found  her  rest.  No  tramping,  struggling  feet  had 
touched  her,  and  only  the  blood  staining  the  brown  hair 
where  the  bullet  had  struck  showed  that  this  was  death  and 
not  sleep.  The  minutes  passed,  and  the  hours,  the  bells 
sounding  musically  at  short  intervals  over  the  city,  and  the 
sun  slowly  sank  lower  and  lower  into  his  bed  of  purple  and 
red  and  gold. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 

THE   DIPLOMACY   OF   LORD   CLOVERTON 

DESMOND  ELLEREY  recovered  consciousness  slowly  and 
gradually.  After  the  sensations  of  movement  and  gallop- 
ing horses,  there  was  utter  oblivion  for  a  time,  followed  by 
sharp  pain  which  seemed  to  be  caused  by  someone  bending 
over  him — a  shadowy  figure  whose  attack  upon  him  he  was 
powerless  to  resist,  Then  he  heard  voices,  and  more  than 
one  shadow  flitted  vaguely  across  his  vision.  Presently  he 
realized  that  he  was  stretched  out  at  full  length,  and  that  he 
was  in  a  room  which  had  an  intricate  pattern  on  the  ceil- 
ing, the  lines  and  curves  of  which  his  eyes  were  trying  to  fol- 
low. 

"Well,  Doctor?" 

"Nothing  serious,"  was  the  answer.  "A  bullet  has 
torn  the  fleshy  part  of  the  arm,  but  it  would  hardly  account 
for  his  collapse.  The  man  is  thoroughly  played  out,  and 
has  had  no  sleep  for  some  nights  probably,  and  has  been  at 
high  tension  for  a  long  time." 

"  But  will  he  be  able  to  travel  ?  " 

*'  He  would  be  better  for  twenty-four  hours'  sleep  first." 

"  That  is  out  of  the  question,"  was  the  answer. 

"  Is  it  a  long  journey  ?  "  asked  the  doctor. 

"  Yes ;  but  he  will  be  well  cared  for,  and  will  have  noth- 
ing to  do." 

"It  will  pull  him  down  a  bit,  but  he  will  stand  it  all 
right,"  the  doctor  returned.  "  His  is  the  sort  of  constitution 
which  stands  anything." 


346  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

At  first  Ellerey  had  only  been  conscious  of  voices,  now 
he  partly  understood  what  was  said,  and  half  raised  him- 
self. 

"  Where  am  I  ?  "  he  asked  faintly. 

"  Ah,  that's  better,"  said  the  doctor;  "  drink  this,  it  will 
start  you  toward  recovery.  No,  leave  that  arm  alone,  it 
will  be  all  right  presently." 

"It  hurts  a  bit,"  Ellerey  answered.  "I  remember; 
De  Froilette  did  it.  I  think  I  struck  him  down;  I  forget 
what  happened  after  that,"  and  he  drank  from  the  glass 
handed  him. 

"Well,  Goldberg,  he  looks  better  already,"  said  the 
other  man,  coming  forward  and  standing  by  the  couch. 
**  Do  you  know  me,  Ellerey  ?  " 

"LordCloverton!" 

"  I  told  you  I  would  pluck  you  from  under  the  wheels  of 
Juggernaut's  car  if  I  could,  and  so  far  I  have  succeeded." 

"  I  don't  know  how  you  have  done  it,  but  I  thank  you." 

"  I  will  leave  you  for  a  little  while,"  said  Dr.  Goldberg. 
"  How  long  before  he  starts  ?  Delay  it  as  long  as  you  can." 

"  A  couple  of  hours,"  said  Cloverton. 

"Very  well.  I  will  come  in  and  see  him  comfortably 
packed  up." 

"  I  cannot  go,"  said  Ellerey  as  the  door  closed  upon  the 
doctor. 

"  Listen  to  me,"  said  the  Ambassador,  sitting  down  on 
the  end  of  the  couch.  "  I  am  not  going  to  criticize  your 
actions,  and  that  you  are  here  in  the  Embassy  proves  that  I 
still  feel  some  interest  in  you.  I  hardly  expected  to  save 
you,  but  Captain  Ward  was  fortunate  in  choosing  the  right 
spot  to  rescue  you,  and  he  managed  to  get  you  here  without 
anyone  knowing.  You  are  still  being  eagerly  sought  for." 

"  I  should  like  to  thank  Captain  Ward,"  said  Ellerey. 

"  You  shall  before  you  go." 


DIPLOMACY  OF  LORD  CLOVERTON     347 

"  I  cannot  leave  Sturatzberg,"  said  Ellerey. 

"  You  can  understand  that  under  the  circumstances  I 
have  run  some  risk  in  having  you  brought  to  the  Embassy," 
Lord  Cloverton  went  on.  "  It  is  quite  impossible  for  you 
to  remain  here,  and  to  go  into  the  streets  of  the  city  would 
be  to  go  to  your  death." 

"  Still,  I  must  go,  Lord  Cloverton.  You  do  not  under- 
stand." 

"  Perhaps  not ;  but  I  have  myself  to  think  of  as  well  as 
you.  For  both  of  us  it  is  necessary  that  you  cross  the  fron- 
tier as  soon  as  possible.  In  two  hours  we  start.  I  am  go- 
ing as  far  as  Breslen  on  my  own  affairs,  and,  in  case  of  acci- 
dent, an  escort  is  to  accompany  my  carriage,  which  will  be 
closed.  I  have  made  the  most  of  the  dangers  to  myself,  and 
have  demanded  that  my  person  shall  be  well  guarded.  You 
will  go  with  me,  and  for  your  journey  from  Breslen  I  have 
made  further  arrangements.  You  are  unlikely  to  be 
stopped." 

"But,  my  Lord " 

"  You  owe  no  further  allegiance  to  the  cause  you  have 
striven  for.  You  can  depart  in  all  honor.  The  cause  is 
annihilated." 

"I  know,  my  Lord,  I  know;  still,  I  cannot  leave  Stu- 
ratzberg." 

"  Somehow  I  expected  to  find  you  difficult  to  persuade," 
said  Lord  Cloverton,  rising.  "  I  have  no  time  to  argue  with 
you;  I  will  send  someone  else  to  do  that.  I  hope  to  find 
you  more  tractable  when  I  return." 

He  went  out  of  the  room,  closing  the  door  gently  behind 
him.  Ellerey  raised  himself  on  the  couch,  wincing  with 
the  pain  his  arm  gave  him,  but  determined  to  balk  the  Am- 
bassador while  he  had  the  opportunity.  It  was  evident 
that  if  he  remained  there  Lord  Cloverton  would  force  him 
to  this  journey,  and  he  was  too  weak  to  offer  any  real  resist- 


348  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

ance,  but  once  in  the  streets  he  could  hide  and  wait,  and 
seek  Maritza  in  every  corner  of  the  city  until 

The  door  opened  again,  and  closed.  Ellerey's  back 
was  toward  it,  and  he  did  not  turn.  It  was  only  a  servant, 
probably,  who  would  go  away  presently. 

"Desmond!" 

A  few  hurried  steps,  the  quick  rustle  of  a  dress,  and  then 
a  figure  was  kneeling  by  the  couch,  and  a  head  was  pillowed 
on  his  breast. 

"  Desmond ! " 

For  a  moment  he  did  not  speak;  he  could  not.  His  con- 
fusion returned ,  and  seemed  to  overwhelm  him.  Surely  he 
was  still  dreaming  ? 

"  Maritza !  You  ?  Is  it  really  you  ?  How  wonderful 
it  is,  this  waking !  Is  it  you,  Maritza  ?  " 

"  Yes ,  dear.    Thank  God  for  bringing  you  to  me  again. " 

"  It  is  wonderful,"  Ellerey  murmured.  "  Red  blood  is 
before  my  eyes  still,  and  in  my  ears  shouting  and  groaning. 
We  have  lived  through  it  all,  you  and  I — " 

"And  so  many  are  dead,  Desmond,  have  died  for  me. 
My  heart  is  heavy  and  full  of  tears,  only — only  there  is  you, 
and  you  are  here,  and,  God  forgive  me,  there  is  joy  in  my 
soul  because  of  this." 

It  was  a  strange,  new  thing  for  him  to  see  Maritza  weep. 

"  And  Frina.  Frina  gave  her  life  for  mine,  Desmond," 
she  whispered. 

He  did  not  speak,  but  his  fingers  closed  over  hers,  and 
they  were  both  silent. 

"  They  are  looking  for  us  in  every  corner  of  the  city," 
she  said  presently. 

"  How  did  you  escape  ?  "  he  asked. 

"I  hardly  know.  Stefan  caught  me  up  and  ran  with 
me.  I  strove  to  free  myself  in  vain.  I  pleaded,  I  threat- 
ened, but  it  was  of  no  use.  I  was  a  child  in  those  great 


DIPLOMACY  OF  LORD  CLOVERTON     349 

arms  of  his.  He  brought  me  here.  Lord  Cloverton  was 
very  kind." 

"  Where  is  Stefan  now  ?  " 

"  Here  still.  He  is  going  with  us.  Lord  Cloverton  says 
that  you  will  not  go ;  but  you  will,  Desmond,  won't  you  ?  I 
want  you  to  take  me  away,  anywhere,  Desmond — anywhere 
away  from  Sturatzberg." 

"  I  would  not  go,  my  darling,  because  you  were  not  with 
me.  When  you  came  in  I  was  making  up  my  mind  to  drop 
from  the  window  that  I  might  look  for  you ;  but  now " 

"  My  poor  love,  you  are  weak ;  how  could  you  ?  " 

"My  sword  arm  is  whole  still,  though  it  is  tired — very 
tired." 

"  It  shall  rest  now,"  she  said,  taking  it  and  pressing  it  to 
her  breast.  "  Desmond." 

"Yes,  dearest." 

"  Only  once  have  you  said  to  me :  '  I  love  you.'  Never 
yet  have  I  been  in  your  arms.  Put  this  one — this  strong 
one — round  me  now.  Say  'I  love  you.'  Tell  me.  Oh, 
how  often  have  I  longed  to  hear  those  words  from  your 
lips." 

"I  love  you,  Maritza,my  Princess,"  he  whispered, and 
he  kissed  her  lips  as  a  little  contented  sigh  escaped  them. 

"  How  beautiful  you  are ! "  he  went  on,  after  a  moment's 
pause.  "  It  is  strange,  Maritza,  but  since  that  morning  on 
the  downs  I  have  never  seen  you  dressed  as  a  woman." 

"  Once,  Desmond." 

"  Ah,  then  you  wore  a  mask." 

"  And  looked  through  it  with  eyes  of  love,  Desmond." 

"Even  then?" 

"  Yes,  even  then.  These  are  borrowed  clothes.  Lord 
Cloverton  persuaded  someone  to  lend  them.  He  was  ner- 
vous until  I  became  a  woman.  Grigosie  is  dead,  Des- 
mond." 


350  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  Is  there  no  regret  in  your  heart  ?  " 

"  None,"  she  answered. 

"  You  lose  a  kingdom,  Maritza." 

"  It  is  well  lost  for  love,  Desmond.  I  have  found  my 
king." 

She  was  kneeling  beside  the  couch  when  Lord  Cloverton 
entered. 

"  Well,  Captain  Ellerey,  are  you  ready  to  go  ?  " 

"  How  can  I  thank  you,  my  Lord  ?  " 

"  By  going,"  the  Ambassador  answered,  with  a  smile. 
"  Sight  of  the  Princess  is  evidently  good  medicine  for  you. 
You  have  both  given  me  many  anxious  hours." 

"  You  must  forgive  us,"  said  Maritza. 

"Princess,  I  am  an  old  man;  I  envy  my  countryman 
his  youth.  But  for  all  that,  I  shall  find  my  work  in  Stu- 
ratzberg  easier  when  I  know  you  two  rebels  are  safely  over 
the  frontier." 

Dr.  Goldberg  came  in,  and  with  him  Captain  Ward. 

"  I  owe  you  much,"  said  Ellerey,  grasping  the  latter's 
hand.  "Thank  you." 

"  It  is  but  repaying  the  debt  I  incurred  on  the  night  of 
the  duel,  Captain  Ellerey." 

"The  carriage  is  waiting,"  said  Lord  Cloverton.  "It 
is  in  the  inner  courtyard.  We  must  be  silent,  for  the  escort, 
which  waits  without,  has  no  knowledge  that  I  am  accom- 
panied. Now,  Doctor,  wrap  up  your  patient,  and  help  him 
out.  Here  is  a  cloak  for  you,  Princess.  You  travel  with 
light  luggage,  but  that,  I  am  afraid,  cannot  be  helped." 

"  And  Stefan  ?  "  asked  Ellerey. 

"  Goes  with  us.     He  is  waiting.     Come ! " 

The  travelling  carriage  was  large  and  roomy,  and  they 
entered  it  in  silence  in  the  inner  courtyard.  Stefan  was 
waiting,  and  saluted  Ellerey,  but  neither  of  them  spoke 
then.  The  windows  were  drawn  up,  the  blinds  closed,  and 


DIPLOMACY  OF  LORD  CLOVERTON     351 

then  they  moved  out.  There  was  a  sharp  word  of  com- 
mand as  they  passed  into  the  street,  and  so,  escorted  by  the 
King's  troops,  the  man  and  woman  who  were  being  searched 
for  in  every  corner  of  the  city  passed  out  by  the  Northern 
Gate  and  through  the  Bois,  and  were  presently  driving  along 
the  Breslen  road. 

Lord  Cloverton's  arrangements  had  been  very  carefully 
and  completely  made.  In  Breslen  the  carriage  drove  into 
an  inn  yard,  the  escort  remaining  without,  and  in  the  yard 
another  carriage  was  waiting.  The  driver  was  in  possession 
of  the  papers  necessary  for  the  journey,  and,  unless  some- 
thing unforeseen  should  happen,  nothing  could  prevent  the 
fugitives  reaching  the  frontier  in  safety. 

"  Wait  until  I  have  gone,"  said  Lord  Cloverton,  "  and 
then  start.  Bon  voyage,"  he  whispered,  as  he  raised  Ma- 
ritza's  hand  te  his  lips.  "  I  hope  we  shall  meet  again  under 
happier  circumstances — in  England,  it  may  be.  Your 
marriage  will  render  a  very  charming  Princess  powerless  to 
disturb  the  peace  of  Europe." 

"  Thank  you  a  thousand  times,"  said  Ellerey.  "  You 
have  given  me  more  than  life — happiness." 

When  the  Ambassador  had  gone,  Ellerey  turned  to 
Stefan. 

"  What  can  I  say  to  you,  old  comrade  ?  " 

"  Better  say  nothing,  Captain.  I'm  nearer  to  tears  just 
now  than  I  ever  was  in  my  life." 

"I  had  forgotten,"  said  Ellerey;  "you  are  leaving  Stu- 
ratzberg." 

"  Oh,  they're  not  tears  of  that  kind,"  said  Stefan.  "  I 
think  they're  happy  ones,  but  having  shed  so  few  I'm  a  poor 
judge.  I  only  know,  Captain,  it's  good  to  be  beside  you 
again.  I  know  it's  good  to  have  served  you,  and — and 
Grigosie,  the  name  will  slip  out — and  if  you  want  to  say 
anything,  just  promise  that  you  won't  send  me  packing  as 


352  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

soon  as  we  get  free.  I  can  turn  my  hand  to  other  things 
beside  soldiering." 

"  You  shall  stay  with  us,  Stefan,"  said  Maritza. 

"I  don't  think  I  could  have  known  any  real  woman 
before,"  the  soldier  muttered. 

Ten  minutes  later  they  had  passed  out  of  the  inn  yard, 
and  were  galloping  toward  the  frontier. 

And  in  the  midst  of  his  escort,  Lord  Cloverton  was  rid- 
ing back  to  Sturatzberg.  So  far  he  had  succeeded,  but  he 
knew  how  often  some  little  thing  destroyed  the  best-laid 
scheme.  He  drove  direct  to  the  palace,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  King.  Queen  Elena  was  with  him. 

"  Do  you  bring  us  news  of  this  countryman  of  yours,  my 
Lord  ?  "  said  the  King,  and  he  spoke  somewhat  curtly. 

"  Or  of  Princess  Maritza  ?  "  said  the' Queen.  "  It  is  very 
strange  that  neither  of  them  can  be  found." 

"  So  they  have  not  been  found  yet  ?  "  said  the  Ambassa- 
dor. 

"No,  my  Lord;  but  they  will  be.  I  have  it  on  good 
authority,  only  a  moment  ago,  that  they  are  even  now  be- 
tween Breslen  and  the  frontier.  It  was  cleverly  conceived, 
Lord  Cloverton,  but  it  is  not  too  late  to  stop  them,"  and  the 
King's  hand  was  raised  to  strike  a  gong  to  summon  a  mes- 
senger. 

"  One  moment,  your  Majesty." 

"Why  delay?"  exclaimed  the  Queen  impatiently. 
"Every  moment  is  of  value.  Five  minutes  have  slipped 
away  already  since  this  news  was  brought  to  you.  Tele- 
graph to  the  frontier  at  once.  I  shall  not  rest  until  Maritza 
is  taken." 

"  And  De  Froilette,  your  Majesty  ?  "  said  the  Ambassa- 
dor quietly. 

"He  is  dead." 

"I  know,"  was  the  answer.     "Had  he  been  alive,  he 


DIPLOMACY  OF  LORD  CLOVERTON     353 

too  would  have  been  hurrying  toward  the  frontier.  Your 
Majesty  should  rejoice  in  his  death.  He  was  not  a  man  to 
be  trusted." 

"  My  Lord,  you  tell  us  only  what  we  know,"  said  the 
Queen. 

"  A  little  more,  I  think,  your  Majesty,"  was  the  quiet 
answer.  "A  servant  of  mine  saw  Monsieur  De  Froilette 
struck  down  by  Captain  Ellerey,  and,  knowing  the  man, 
searched  him.  He  carried  much  that  was  incriminating 
upon  him."  And  then,  turning  to  the  King,  he  added: 
"  Would  it  not  be  well  to  let  Captain  Ellerey  and  the  Prin- 
cess go  ?  " 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  "  asked  the  King  angrily. 

"Lord  Cloverton  only  seeks  to  delay  that  message," 
said  the  Queen.  "Send  it.  Some  of  your  enemies  are 
dead,  but  these  two  escape." 

"  And  must  be  allowed  to  escape,"  said  the  Ambassador. 

"  Do  you  threaten,  my  Lord  ?  "  said  the  King. 

"  I  ask  the  Queen  to  support  me  with  regard  to  these 
fugitives." 

"  And  I  refuse,"  she  answered.     "  Send  the  message." 

"  Will  your  Majesty  show  the  King  the  bracelet  of  me- 
dallions ?  "  said  Lord  Cloverton. 

The  King  rose  angrily. 

"  Once  before,  my  Lord "  and  then  he  stopped. 

"  Send  the  message,"  cried  the  Queen. 

"  And  then  look  to  your  own  safety,"  said  Lord  Clover- 
ton,  turning  sharply  to  the  King.  "Russia  has  plotted 
against  you ;  her  troops  lie  still  on  the  frontier,  and  treach- 
ery has  been  beside  you.  By  a  strange  chance  the  plot  mis- 
carried, but  it  was  near  to  success.  This  was  found  in  Jules 
de  Froilette's  possession,"  and  he  held  up  the  bracelet. 

The  King  looked  at  it.  The  Queen  drew  in  her  breath 
sharply,  and  bit  her  lip  until  the  blood  came. 


354  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

"  What  is  the  meaning  of  this  ?  "  said  the  King,  turning 
to  her  after  a  pause. 

"  At  a  fitting  time  I  will  answer,"  she  said. 

The  King  sat  down  heavily  in  his  chair. 

"  I  will  send  no  message,"  he  said. 

Lord  Cloverton  bowed,  and  placing  the  bracelet  care- 
fully on  the  table,  silently  left  the  apartment. 


CHAPTER  XXIX 

AFTER   WAR — PEACE 

PEACEFUL  times  had  fallen  upon  Wallaria.  It  is  whispered 
sometimes  that  the  relations  between  the  King  and  the 
Queen  are  not  of  the  happiest ;  but  who  that  would  publish 
such  a  statement  can  possibly  know  the  truth  with  any  cer- 
tainty. It  is  a  fact  that  the  country  is  better  governed. 
At  nights  the  streets  of  Sturatzberg  are  far  safer  than  they 
were  formerly,  and  the  brigands  in  the  hills  have  been  dis- 
persed. Some  political  malcontents  among  them  have 
been  banished,  but  many  have  been  pardoned,  and  go  im 
and  out  cf  the  city  unmolested.  The  Court  is  still  a  bril- 
liant one,  but  in  these  days  there  is  no  woman  there  as  beau- 
tiful as  Frina  Mavrodin,  and  Lord  Cloverton  is  no  longer 
British  Ambassador.  He  has  been  transferred  to  Paris, 
and  this  fact  alone  is  sufficient  to  show  that  the  Powers  are 
more  agreed  concerning  Wallaria.  A  less  experienced  man 
than  Lord  Cloverton  is  now  at  the  Embassy,  and  has  had 
no  such  troublous  times  to  steer  through  as  fell  to  his  pre- 
decessor. 

Yet  Princess  Maritza  is  not  forgotten  in  Sturatzberg, 
and  for  a  small  bribe  many  a  man  will  tell  the  traveler  her 
romantic  history,  and  will  perhaps  whisper  in  his  ear,  as 
though  the  spirit  of  revolution  were  not  altogether  dead  in 
him: 

"  I  was  among  those  who  fought  that  day  in  the  Grande 
Place." 


356  PRINCESS  MARITZA 

So  long  as  they  live,  Desmond  Ellerey  and  his  wife  will 
not  forget  that  day,  but  they  seldom  speak  of  it.  It  is  quite 
certain  that  Maritza  has  never  regretted  the  kingdom  she 
lost.  Love  has  crowned  her  life,  and  she  is  satisfied. 

Long  since  has  it  been  known  that  the  story  which  drove 
Ellerey  away  from  his  country  was  a  lie,  told  and  substan- 
tiated by  the  real  culprit  to  shield  himself.  By  this  man's 
tardy  confession,  Ellerey's  character  was  cleared,  and  many 
expected  him  to  return  to  England  at  once,  but  he  did  not 
do  so.  When  his  brother  died,  and  he  became  Sir  Desmond 
Ellerey,  he  did  return  for  a  while,  however,  staying  for  some 
time  with  his  old  and  staunch  friends,  Sir  Charles  and  Lady 
Martin,  and  his  beautiful  wife  caused  a  sensation.  She 
visited  her  old  school,  and  she  stood  with  her  husband  upon 
the  downs  on  the  very  spot  where  they  had  first  met.  But 
England  was  not  for  them,  they  decided,  and  their  perma- 
nent home  is  in  Italy,  in  sight  of  dancing  blue  waters  and 
under  a  blue  sky. 

And  in  this  Italian  home  is  Stefan,  whose  chief  duty 
seems  to  consist  in  worshipping  Ellerey's  small  son,  who  is 
going  to  be  a  soldier  when  he  grows  up  and  win  a  wife  like 
his  mother,  just  as  his  father  did.  It  is  Stefan  who  tells 
him  stories  of  the  past,  Stefan  who  fashions  wooden  swords 
for  him,  and  who  would  willingly  lay  down  his  life  for  his 
father,  mother,  or  son. 

u  Once  I  didn't  care  for  anybody,"  Stefan  said  to  the  lad 
one  day. 

"  You  didn't  know  father  then." 

"  No ;  and  for  a  long  time  after  that  I  hated  women." 

"  Until  you  met  my  mother  ?  "  asked  the  boy. 

"  Yes ;  and  until  I  knew  Grigosie." 

"  Grigosie  ?    Who  was  Grigosie  ?  " 

"  She  was  a  Princess." 

"  My  mother  is  a  Princess.     Father  says  so." 


AFTER   WAR— PEACE  357 

"  And  some  day,  when  you  are  old  enough,  he  will  tell 
you  all  about  Grigosie,  too,  and  how  it  is  you  are  not  a 
king." 

"  Mother  sometimes  calls  me  her  little  king,"  said  the 
boy. 

"  I  don't  wonder.  Now  it's  time  to  mount  and  charge 
home." 

So  the  little  warrior  is  quickly  lifted  on  Stefan's  shoul- 
der, and  with  waving  wooden  sword,  and  with  curls  flying,, 
is  whirled  off  on  his  willing  charger. 


NEW  POPULAR  EDITIONS  OF 

MARY  JOHNSTON'S 
NOVELS 

TO  HAVE  AND  TO  HOLD 

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AUDREY 

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Agnes  Repplier. 

PRISONERS  OF  HOPE 

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